Text messaging (SMS) or text messaging in general is a traditional way of communicating with our friends and family without the need of any internet connection. A large group of people use SMS as an instant messaging application. targeting Facebook users send SMS messages Messenger app.
Facebook allows you to set Messenger for Android as your default SMS app and use it to send and receive SMS and MMS messages as well as Facebook chat.
This feature has been available for a long time, but many people still don’t know how to enable and use it.
End-to-end encryption works in Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger also provides end-to-end encryption for conversations. This means that the information you send and receive on the platform is secure from the moment you leave your device until the recipient retrieves it.
The company has reiterated several times that no one, including Facebook, can see or hear what is being sent or said while the message is being delivered. In addition to messages, calls made on the platform are said to be end-to-end encrypted.
Messenger users can enable end-to-end encryption on Facebook Messenger by turning on the lock icon switch in the upper right corner of the chat.
How does the SMS feature in Messenger work?
In addition to the usual text, photos, videos, and audio, SMS in Messenger also supports rich content like stickers, emojis, and location sharing. To send GIFs, send money, make audio and video calls, and request a transfer, you have to use the standard Messenger. The feature is only available on Android. However, SMS recipients can access it on any platform.
The company claims that conversations are not sent, posted, or stored on Facebook’s servers when using SMS in Messenger.
Standard rates for SMS and text messages apply, and data can still be used for standard non-SMS messages sent and received via Messenger.
Here is a step by step guide that shows you how to send and receive text messages via Facebook Messenger:
Open the Facebook Messenger app on your Android smartphone.
Go to your profile by clicking on the small profile icon in the upper left corner.
On the Preferences tab, select the SMS option.
Turn on the SMS function switch.
You can view and reply to SMS conversations in Messenger after enabling the feature.
SMS and Messaging conversations will be displayed in purple and blue, respectively.