WEB MESSENGER: Using Facebook Messenger Without the App

Web Messenger
Guiding Tech

Let’s be honest: we’re all terrified of using the Facebook App on our iPhones. There have been numerous videos released on YouTube that perpetuate a conspiracy theory concerning the stalker feature of the Facebook Messenger App. In the aftermath of ongoing worries, Facebook has done little to allay fears. If this is you, fear not, we’ve got the answers for how you can use Facebook web messenger on Google and other channels, without the App, and avoid life-imposing consequences altogether. We will also leave some tips on WhatsApp web messenger. Let’s get started!

Why is Facebook Splitting the Messenger Feature into a Separate App?

The quick explanation is that it is in their best commercial interests. If Facebook Messenger is inextricably linked to the Facebook app, Facebook (the firm) foregoes an opportunity to establish a single messaging platform across all of its social media channels.

Aside from the web messenger, I believe Facebook is working on a unified messaging software (named Messenger) that will exchange conversations across Instagram, WhatsApp, and even Oculus as the Facebook Metaverse concept takes shape.

Is this beneficial to consumers? Maybe. It means they only need to install one messaging program. However, it also provides Facebook with much more data because they can now read and analyze your 1:1 and group interactions.

Is it beneficial to Facebook? Absolutely. Consider having a single unified inbox that represents a user and can be mined for data. Remember that we don’t have to pay anything to use Facebook, Instagram, and other Facebook-owned outlets. That is, we are providing them with our information in exchange for accessing the platform.

How does that old adage go? “If you aren’t paying for the product…you ARE the product.”

Differences Between the Mobile and Desktop Versions

For many years, the mobile version of Facebook has barred access to the direct messaging system, forcing users to download a separate app. The function of contracting friends by writing them direct messages or creating groups is really useful and is used by a large number of people. The requirement to download a second app in order to use this function is simply a nuisance.

The Facebook mobile app retains the mailbox icon and will notify you when a new message has arrived, but there is a demand to download the messenger app in order to view it and then react. However, the web or desktop edition of Facebook still has access to the messenger functionalities via the mailbox icon.

When utilizing a mobile device, navigating the web version of Facebook is significantly more difficult. Because the desktop version is not optimized for mobile viewing, it is considerably more difficult to browse.

How to Use Facebook Messenger Without the App

The simplest and most usual workaround is to utilize Facebook’s desktop version. You may now accomplish this by simply setting aside your smartphone and entering into your Facebook account from your laptop or personal computer.

If that isn’t an option, you can use your smartphone to access the mobile browser version of Facebook. However, there is one difficulty. The Facebook web messenger is not optimized for mobile devices. The UI will be difficult to use, and the site’s responsiveness will be subpar.

Here’s how you can do this:

Step #1: Delete the Facebook App and Messenger App

This is a straightforward yet crucial initial step. Don’t worry, your content will not be removed.

Step #2: Open Safari or Chrome on Your Phone

Instead of using an app to access Facebook, simply use the mobile version accessible via your phone’s browser. Once the browser is open, navigate to www.facebook.com and sign in. Make a note to bookmark the page for easy access. You may also add a bookmark icon to your home screen so that access is similar to using the App. Essentially, the mobile version provides access to every feature, including Ads and page administration. Canvas Ads are one thing I’ve observed that don’t seem to work on mobile. In terms of user experience, this is hardly a significant loss.

Step #3: Bookmark the Full Facebook Site

One disadvantage of Facebook’s mobile browser version is that it does not allow you to access Messenger. The full web or desktop version of Facebook is the greatest solution for how to access Facebook Messenger without the App.

The entire version can be found at https://www.facebook.com/home.php. Although it is not mobile-friendly, you will be able to access and react to any messages in Messenger.

Step #4: Set up Notifications on Mobile Facebook

One of the few disadvantages of utilizing the mobile site is that it does not act like the app and does not guide you through the process of configuring notifications. You can, however, go to Account Settings -> alerts and configure your preferences for post-update alerts.

How to Access the Desktop Site on Apple and Android

The majority of Android users have Chrome installed on their devices. To access the desktop versions of websites, simply click the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings. Scroll down in the options until you see a checkbox for seeing the desktop version of the site. The procedure is slightly different with Apple.

Locate the AA button to the left of the URL bar in Safari when you browse to a website that you wish to see as a desktop version. When you click this button, a little menu will appear. When you click on the request desktop site, the page should load as if you were reading it on a PC.

Things to Keep in Mind

If you just type facebook.com into your browser and attempt to access your Facebook account in this manner, you will be sent to the mobile version of the site. The mobile version is easier to use, but it does not allow you to use the messenger. It will compel you to reinstall the messenger app.

You may be unable to send or receive video calls when using the desktop version or full version of Facebook in your mobile browser. This is comparable to the Facebook Messenger Lite version of the messenger software.

You should also be aware that not all mobile browsers will allow you to fully utilize Facebook’s desktop browser version. For optimal results, use Chrome or Opera.

Do Bookmarked Pages Still Work?

Another alternative used by some users was to bookmark the following page:

“https://www.Facebook.com/messages”

Unfortunately, this was a temporary solution that did not work for everyone. To do so, users must access Facebook via the browser, navigate to the messages area, and bookmark the messages page.

They could then instantly access recent communications without needing to install the program. However, this strategy appears to have lost its utility as Facebook increasingly pushed the chat program upon its users.

Reasons to Want a Messenger App-Free Way of Checking Facebook Messages

There are two reasons why many Facebook users are upset with this policy, which prevents mobile users from checking their messages without using the messenger program.

The main problem is that the messenger software, even the Lite edition, consumes a lot of resources. Furthermore, because not everyone uses the most recent smartphone generation, having either one installed on a smartphone can make accessing other apps and functions more difficult.

Concerns about privacy are another reason. By popular standards, Facebook’s track record in this area is almost awful. Whether it follows everything you do or listens in, the fact remains that once installed, the Facebook Messenger App will always be online, operating in the background, until you switch off your phone.

As a result, whether for privacy reasons or because they prefer a less resource-intensive manner of checking their messages, mobile Facebook users have every right to demand the same benefits as all other desktop Facebook users from the platform’s browser version.

Did You Cave in or Are You Still Trying to Bypass the Messenger?

Unfortunately, as you can see, there aren’t many options for doing what you want on Facebook if you’re using a smartphone or tablet. However, for the time being, accessing the desktop version is still possible, albeit with a clumsy surfing experience.

What do you do to check your Facebook messages in these circumstances? Do you install the Facebook Messenger App on your phone on a regular basis to check messages in bulk? Do you bookmark the full version desktop page in your browser? Or did you discover a third-party app that accomplishes something we’re not aware of? It’s entirely up to you.

Why not Just Install the Messenger App?

The permissions that the messaging software requests the first time you run it are the main reasons why people are opposed to utilizing it. The Messenger app wishes to use the following features on your smartphone:

  • The contacts list. 
  • Camera.
  • Calendar.
  • Microphone.
  • And even the call function of your phone.

For many people, there are numerous permissions that can be granted to a messaging service. Another issue is that if you do not send encrypted communications, Facebook staff can read them. As a result, employing a detour to avoid giving away access to all of your data is becoming more common.

What Is a Web Messenger?

Web messaging, as opposed to web chat, allows a visitor to access your site, communicate with a bot or agent, and then return later to pick up the conversation.

How Can I Open Messenger in Web?

The Messenger web is where you may check Facebook messages without using Messenger. The desktop site is exclusively for messages.

How Can I Use Messenger Without the App?

The full desktop version of Facebook is the greatest solution for how to access Facebook Messenger without the App.

How Do I Use Google Web Messaging?

How to Use Google Messenger for Web includes the following steps:

  • On your computer, go to the Google Messages for Web page via a web browser.
  • Open Messages on your Android phone.
  • Tap the three-dot menu in the top right and select Device Pairing.
  • Tap the QR code scanner button and point your camera to the QR code shown by Google Messages for Web.

Can I Check My Text Messages Online Without Phone?

You can access your messages on the web on your computer by using a messaging app such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Slack. You can read your messages by logging in to the app on your computer. You can use your Apple ID to access your text messages on your Mac if you own both an iPhone and a Mac.

Can Someone See My Text Messages From Another Phone?

Yes, it is feasible for someone to spy on your text messages, and you should be aware of this possibility.

Conclusion

Finally, it is feasible to skip using the Facebook Messenger program in order to access Facebook’s messenger services. However, it is not a user-friendly experience because Facebook deliberately discourages you from doing so and instead encourages you to download their other program.

For many users, giving Facebook that much access to personal data on top of the data already shared by having a profile feels excessively intrusive. Users using the Facebook web Messenger desktop app face similar privacy concerns. For many people, Facebook is a method to stay in touch with friends and family, so they download the messenger app without thinking to keep access to their communications.

References

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