How do i link my messenger account to my facebook account

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Using a deactivated account is the key

Updated on October 3, 2022

What to Know

• On the Messenger app, enter your deactivated Facebook account's phone number/email and password, then tap Log In.
• Or tap Create New Account > Next > Sign Up to create a new Facebook account and Messenger account with it.
• Then deactivate your Facebook account at Facebook.com or on the Facebook app while continuing to use Messenger.

This article covers how to use Messenger when you're not using Facebook, including how to set the Messenger app up on your device if you have a previously deactivated account.

These instructions assume you have Messenger for iOS or Messenger for Android installed on your mobile device.

Use Messenger With a Deactivated Facebook Account

Before December 2019, you only needed a phone number to create a Facebook Messenger account. Now, you need a Facebook account, but it doesn't have to be active. If you previously deactivated your Facebook account, you can use it to create a Messenger account without reactivating it first. All you need to do is log into Messenger using your deactivated account's credentials and click or tap Log in.

Use Messenger Without a Facebook Account

If you had a Facebook account that you permanently deleted, or you never had a Facebook account before, you can create a brand new one and then deactivate it after setting up Messenger.

1. Open the Messenger app and tap Create New Account.

   Note

   A pop-up box might appear asking to use information from Facebook.com to sign in. Tap Continue.

2. A browser window opens, prompting you to create a new Facebook account. Fill out the fields and tap Next on each tab until you get to the final one and tap Sign Up.

   Note

   Make sure to use the first and last name you want to appear in your Messenger account. You're to verify your account with a code sent by text or email.

3. Creating a Facebook account also creates a Messenger account, which you can start using immediately.

   Note

   Messenger automatically displays your Facebook profile picture next to your name. Unfortunately, you can't upload or change your profile picture within Messenger—you have to do it through your Facebook account via the website or the mobile app.

4. Optionally deactivate your Facebook account and continue to use Messenger just like you would if your Facebook account was still active.

   Note

   Make sure you deactivate—not delete—your Facebook account. If you delete your account, it also deletes your Messenger account and all of your messages. A deactivated Facebook account is the absolute minimum you must have to use Messenger.

FAQ

• Can you contact someone on Messenger without being friends?

  Yes, you can send a message to someone on Facebook Messenger if you're not friends. However, your message may arrive in their message requests, and they will only see it if they check there. To add phone contacts to Messenger, select Phone Contacts > Upload Contacts.

• How many Messenger accounts can you have?

  You can add up to five Messenger accounts provided they follow Facebook's name policies and Community Standards. To add a Messenger account, tap your profile picture in the Messenger app > Switch Account > Add Account > enter your information.

• Can people find me on Messenger without Facebook?

  Yes. People can search for you by name, email address, or phone number in the Messenger app. To control your privacy settings, go to Messenger and tap your profile picture > Privacy > Message Delivery and choose who can send you message requests.

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You don't even have to be Facebook friends first

What To Know

• For friends, open Messenger > Compose Message, type the contact name and message > Send.
• If not friends, open Messenger, select your profile pic, find your username link > Share Link. Choose a way to share.
• For phone contacts, open Chats in Messenger, and select People and Upload Contacts.

This article covers how to message both people you are and aren't friends with on Facebook Messenger as well as the contacts from your phone and people physically nearby. The information here applies to Messenger on iOS and Android devices.

You're Already Friends on Facebook

Facebook friends are automatically added to the Messenger app when you sign in to Messenger with your Facebook account login details. To start a conversation with a Facebook friend in Messenger:

1. Open Messenger.

2. From the Chats screen, tap the Compose Message icon on the top right. (This is shown as a square with a pencil in iOS apps and a pencil in the Android app.)

3. Type or select a contact's name.

4. Type your message in the text at the bottom.

5. Tap the Send icon.

You're Not Facebook Friends, But They Use Messenger

If you're not already friends on Facebook but you both use Messenger, exchange username links so you can communicate on Messenger. To send your username link:

1. Open Messenger and tap your profile picture in the top left corner of the screen.

2. Scroll down to find your username link.

3. Tap your username link and then tap Share Link from the list of options that appears.

4. Select how you want to share your username link (text, email, etc.) and send it to the person you want to add on Messenger.

5. When your recipient clicks on your username link, their Messenger app will open with your user listing and they can add you immediately.

6. The recipient would then tap Add on Messenger and you will receive a connection request to add them back.

They're Stored in Your Device's Contacts

Sync your mobile contacts with Messenger to communicate with them in the app. To do this, turn on Contact Uploading in Messenger.

1. From Chats, tap your profile picture in the top left corner.

2. Tap People.

3. Tap Upload Contacts to turn on continuous uploading of your mobile contacts.

   If you turn off Upload Contacts, the contacts you've uploaded to Messenger will automatically be deleted

You Know Their Phone Number

If you prefer not to sync your contacts with Messenger, or you have someone's phone number written down, but they are not stored in your device's contacts, add them to Messenger with their phone number.

The person must confirm their phone number in Messenger for you to be able to add them as a contact via their phone number.

1. From Chats, tap the People icon in the bottom menu.

2. Tap the Add People icon in the top right of the screen.

3. Tap Add icon.

4. When prompted, select Enter Phone Number.

5. Enter their phone number and tap Save. You'll be shown the corresponding Messenger user listing if Messenger detects one from the phone number you entered.

6. Tap Add on Messenger to add them. 

Meet Up in Person

If you're with someone and you want to add each other on Messenger, use any of the above options or take advantage of Messenger's user code feature (Messenger's version of a QR code), which makes adding people in person quick and painless.

1. Open Messenger and tap your profile picture in the top left corner.

2. Your user code is represented by the unique blue lines and dots that encircle your profile picture.

3. Have your friend open Messenger and navigate to the People tab.

4. Have your friend tap the Add icon and then tap Scan Code.

   They might need to configure their device settings to give Messenger permission to access the camera.

5. Have your friend hold their camera over your device with your user code open to automatically scan it and add you to Messenger. You'll receive a connection request to add them back.

FAQ

• How do I deactivate Facebook Messenger?

  The only way to deactivate Messenger is to deactivate your Facebook account. However, you can hide your online status: Tap your profile picture, select Active Status, and turn off Show When You're Active and Show When You're Active Together.

• How do I delete Facebook Messenger messages?

  To delete Facebook Messenger messages in the Messenger app, tap a conversation, then tap and hold a message > select Remove > Remove for You. To delete a conversation, tap and hold a conversation > Delete.

• What is Vanish Mode on Facebook Messenger?

  Vanish Mode is an opt-in feature of Facebook Messenger that allows you to send messages, photos, etc., that disappear after the recipient views them and closes the chat window. Vanish Mode isn’t available for group chats. If anyone screenshots a Vanish Mode message, the other user will be alerted.

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