Messenger

Category
Social Networking

Description of App

Be together whenever, with our all-in-one communication app, complete with unlimited text, voice, video calling and group video chat features.

NEW! GET THE GROUP TOGETHER WITH ROOMS Send a link to group video chat with anyone, even if they don't have Messenger. Host up to 50 people with no time limits.

VIDEO CALLS TO STAY CONNECTED Keep your friends and family close with unlimited one-to-one and group video calls – filters optional :) Host group video calls with up to eight people, with high-quality audio, high-definition video and interactive video features such as face filters. Works across devices (smartphones and desktop).

UNLIMITED TEXT AND PHONE CALLS Skip exchanging phone numbers and simply send a message to your Facebook friends, even if they're across the world. Enjoy high-quality voice and text messaging on mobile, tablet and desktop.

RECORD AND SEND VOICE AND VIDEO MESSAGES When text just won't cut it, just hit record and send. Say, sing, show or shout it out loud.

CUT DOWN GLARE WITH DARK MODE. Dark mode is a sleek look that's easy on the eyes, by switching the background from white to black.

SHARE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS – Capture the moment with the Messenger Camera, add a filter or doodle, then send to friends or share to Stories.

RALLY THE GROUP – Make plans to get together with polls and more.

SEND MONEY SECURELY AND EASILY (within US only) Send and receive money from friends in the app by adding your debit card or PayPal account.

SHARE YOUR LOCATION Suggest a meeting spot or tell friends where you are by sharing your location with just a few taps.

CHAT WITH BUSINESSES Easily connect with your favourite businesses to make reservations, get customer support, find deals and more.

Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/

LEARN MORE about Messenger texting and group video chat at: http://messenger.com (https://messenger.com/)

Version

269.0

Free or Paid

Free

Apple Watch Support

Yes

Device(s) App Was Tested On

iPhone

iOS Version

13.5.1

Accessibility Comments

Appears to be very accessible and easy to use.

VoiceOver Performance

VoiceOver reads all page elements.

Button Labeling

All buttons are clearly labeled.

Usability

The app is fully accessible with VoiceOver and is easy to navigate and use.

App Store Link

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/facebook-messenger/id454638411?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%…

Developer's Website

https://www.facebook.com/mobile/messenger

Developer's Twitter Username

@fbaccess

Recommendations

17 people have recommended this app

Most recently recommended by Michael Hansen 5 months 3 weeks ago

Options

Comments

By ming on Friday, August 5, 2011 - 12:24

hey I'm from hong kong. and the I tuens store told me that it's for america only.

By Michael Hansen on Friday, August 5, 2011 - 12:24

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
How does one go about viewing messages in this app? I can see the message history and if I click on the person's name it shows me the "details" of the message...but I can't figure out how to view the message itself.

By AnonyMouse on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 - 12:24

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
Micheal, that is a great question. Well, on that first page where you see all the messages going on right? Double click on one of those message. This page appears that you can only write back to that person. Really, at the top of that page you will see your name and the person your messages are bing sent to, right? If you want to see their messages in details just couble click on their name on this page. It will now go in to a new page where the messages are in full. Now you should be able to see the entire message without being clipped like on the first page. Hope this works for you. Let me know if you still can't find it. It's not a button nor a link by Voice Over. A flaw in the app by the developer to let you know you can click there. By the way you can double click your name for the same result.

By Walei on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - 12:24

I've been using FaceBook Messenger version 1.7 and I find it to be accessible for the most part. Almost everything is labeled and the app seems to be very responsive and simple to use. The only big drawback is that when you go to compose a message the contacts aren't labeled. The work around for that is to search for the person you want and choose the top hit. Once you've picked them, their name will appear at the top of the new conversation. So you don't have to guess who you're sending a message to. In terms of existing conversations, everything is labeled nicely. I rarely ever have to compose a new conversation so this issue doesn't bother me too much.

Hi, V 1.8 of the Facebook Messenger app was released, and now, it looks totally accessible!! When you go to the compose button, Voice over doesn't see these things as blank anymore, it reads your online friends and such. Its also a bit faster, as well. They fixed the issue with notifications as well. This was tested on my Verizon iPhone 4, IOS 5, firmware version v 5.11

So,I thought this was a little interesting. Its a bit weird, but works!! I also read that you could do this little trick from the facebook Messenger changelog for IOS: To delete messages, this is what you do or to delete a thread of messages with Voice over: 1. go to the message or thread you would like to delete. 2. Long press on thatmessage or thread, and let up off your touch screen then swipe to the left, and right, and when it says confirm deletion from etc, double tap on that icon. All done.

Yes, indeed. Thanks for the heads up! The new version that came out today is much more accessible! Very easy to use and offers a lot of new things as well! What's New in Version 1.8 Now with more great ways to stay in touch on the go: - Quickly switch between multiple conversations with in-app notifications - Include friends of friends in conversations - Swipe to delete individual messages from conversations - See who's available when you start a new conversation - Share bigger photos, tap for full screen and pinch to zoom More improvements: - Faster app loading, navigating and sending - More-reliable push notifications - Bug fixes

By AnonyMouse on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 - 12:24

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
Least this works much better than the new Facebook 5.0! ;) What's New in Version 1.9 New features include: · Add smileys, hearts and other emoji to messages Click the person's name at the top of your conversation to view their Facebook Timeline Seeing who's active lets you and your friends know how soon to expect a reply Improved "new message" sound Other bug fixes

By Ivan Cardenas on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 - 12:24

Hi, I was wondering if anyone else has noticed a few minner issues when looking at the message. Is there a way to delete the message thread or see friends in alphibetic order?

Hey all, I just updated to the latest version of FB Messenger a day ago, not sure of the version. I noticed there is a new feature to send voice messages to your contacts. I was able to get to this feature through the attach file menu when in a message thread with someone, but of course couldn't get it to record. Wouldn't expect Facebook to actually make this feature accessible to the one group of people who could get the most out of it, the blind, so I wanted to see if anyone was able to figure out any kind of work around. Thanks.

If that is the case and it only works in Canada than I have to say this is the dumbest app move I have ever seen to put a record button in the app when it only works in once country. Facebook should have made a different Canadien App. I was able to record something here in the US but it only sent white noise to the person I sent it to, strange that they would do this, but then again it is Facebook thinking

I said foreseeable future, no need to think it was some huge disapointment, they'll roll out new markets when they choose. wow.

By AnonyMouse on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 - 12:24

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Two new big features! Now has the ability to send audio messages along with your texting. Plus, now for those in the United States. You can now make Phone Call to other Facebook Users without using any cell minutes. Really great for those iTouch users!

What's New in Version 2.1
- Send a quick voice message when you have more to say
- Call friends for free right from Messenger*
- Other improvements and bug fixes

What’s New in Version 2.1.1
- Back by popular request: Now you can swipe right to archive a conversation again
- Other improvements and bug fixes

 

By blindgator on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 - 12:24

Just gave recording a voice clip to send to a buddy a try. Doesn't seem to work very well. Would love to hear if anyone else figures it out. Thanks

Well, I sure like to try and help you. Can you tell me what you are doing? Let me try this again: 1) On the Main Page of your Messages. Double Tap on the Compose button that can be found in the bottom right. 2)Go ahead and fill in To who you want this message to go to. Flick until you get to the Attach Media button. Now double tap on that. 3) Now on this pag go down most of the way of this page until you find the Record Voice button. Now double tap on this. 4) Now we are ready to record. At the bottom of this page at the Center bottom right above the Home button is the Record M button. Double Tap and Hold. Don't just double tap. You need to double tap and hold. During the process of holding it down. You are now being recorded. Once you lift up on this button. You need to realize there are no tone or any indicator that it is being recording. 5) Now this will now drop you in to the Convversation Thread of the person you are talking with. You should now see your name and the number of seconds of your audio. Follow by the Attch Media button and then the Text field you want to say. Lastly, is the Location button and the Send button. If you want to hear you recording you must double tap where it has your name follow by the number of seconds of your recording. Double tap on that part and it will replay back your recording. Not sure if this will help or not? Sorry, if I am not being clear. Just be sure to catch my podcast on it tomorrow on it. Maybe this will help? HTH

I guess I really do need to listen to all those step by step podcasts you do Anonymouse, as I wasn't recording correctly as I wasn't holding, thanks so much for the quick directions and all of the work you do. Just installed Status Report and am loving it, although like you said in your podcast might have to turn the Twitter feed off if you ever want to get to the Facebook postings. Thanks again

By AnonyMouse on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 - 12:24

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
Glad to hear that you were able to resolve that issue. It wasn't very clear how it was suppose to be done. Lots of trial and error on my part! ;) Well, I'm glad at least I know that one person listen to my podcast! :) Thanks!

By blindgator on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 - 12:24

Don't you just hate when people say that on a radio show. Well, the first part is true of your podcasts. You have such a great of explaining apps, and you, David Woodbridge, and the rest of the AppleVis team have turned me onto so many great apps. Keep up the great work, and figuring out those interesting work arounds.

By Cory K on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 - 12:24

Okay, the voice clips feature works good, but how do you make phonecalls to users? Thanks!

By AnonyMouse on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 - 12:24

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
Hello there, Sure I would be happy to help you out in how to make a Phone Call with the new Facebook Messenger. 1) From the Main Menu double tap the NavBar DiveBarIcon which is at the upper right hand corner of this page 2) Search or Select a Friend from your Favorites. So in my example I will just double tap somebody from my Favorite list. 3) Once you have double tap on one of your friend. There is a ThreadInfo at the top right hand corner of this page. Now double tap on this. 4) Now just keep flicking to the left until you find the Free Call button. All you need to do is double tap on this button. It will now attempt to make a call to that friend. Be aware that your friend must have the Facebook Messenger on his/her device in order for this work. Otherwise nothing happens and it won't let you make a call. So your friend just need to answer it. There is an answer button on their end. Once you have connected. In my case I have the iPhone. Place the phone to your ear. You will now be able to talk with your friend. It is very much like an iPhone layout. There is a Speaker button if you flick around a bit. Double tap on this and it will bring you in to the Speaker Mode. Towards the end of the page is also the End Call button. HTH

By Crysania on Friday, April 5, 2013 - 12:24

Hello, How do you switch from the list of messages to the settings, and come back to the list of messages? To get to the settings, I have to double tap the message friends button, where settings becomes an option. However, once I have done my work in the settings, it gives me the option to message friends, but does not give me the option to get back to messages. What am I missing? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Crysania. After you press 'Done' in Settings, it takes you back to that 'Message Friends' screen as you said. In the top left of this screen there is a button labelled 'Message Friends'. Tap this to go back to your messages screen. That button should probably just be labelled 'Back' or something. I've noticed that you can't get to it by flicking left or right, you have to explore by touch and find the button in the top left where Back buttons are usually located in apps. Hope this helps.

By Crysania on Friday, April 5, 2013 - 12:24

Thank you for clarifying. I couldn't find the button before, because you had to explore on the screen, rather than swiping. How do you get to all the rest of the cool stuff, like calling people?

Hi, no problem. 1) To send a voice message: Open an existing or new message conversation. In the bottom left of the screen, or swipe left once from the text field, there is a button called "Attach Media". Select this and a menu will come up in the bottom half of the screen. Select "record Voice". Then go to the bottom of the screen and find the "record" button. You need to double-tap and hold on this button to record. When you have finished your message lift your finger. Press "Done". 2) To make a voice call. Press the "Message Friends" button and find the person you want to call, or open an existing conversation. Select the "thread Info" button in the top right of the screen. Flick right a few times from the top and you'll get to a button called "Free Call". Obviously it'll only work if both of you have this feature. It hasn't rolled out everywhere yet. I only got it after jailbreaking as it's not in Ireland yet. Hope this helps.

By Daniel on Friday, April 5, 2013 - 12:24

Hi all, when I use the Mac I use Adium and I can tell who's online through that app using Facebook. However, I am at a lost to determine how this is done with the facebook messenger app for IOS. What I mean is, I can use the IOS app fine. It's just I don't get how one can tell who's actually online for the person using the app to interact with. Might sound like a dum question LOL but help would be nice.

I would also like to know who is online. I am using a braille sense and once I get past my favorits and go down to more friends I cannot message them. I think that is the onlist because it keeps refreshing but I cannot double tap with the braille display like I usually can.

If there any improvements to Voiceover or any reasons not to update to this version then please for those who have upgraded, give us a word of warning! I myself, upgraded to this version from is previous one and for me It became completely unusable in every sense of the word. This is just what happened me though. Please don't feel discourage because I then downgraded again via itunes and my computer and all was well. So I encourage people to test and evaluate and report and tell us your own findings with this latest update. What's New in Version 2.3.1 What's New in Version 2.3.1 Updates to group conversations - Name a group right from the top of your conversation - Get to your group conversations in one tap – just swipe left to see them in your sidebar - Search for group conversations by name or look them up by friends in the group - Other improvements and bug fixes

Hello Daniel, So far I haven't seen any problems in the latest version of the app. There doesn't appear to be anything in the way of improvements but nor have I seen anything that is now broken either. ;) The accessibility to appear quite the same as the last release. HTH

By AnonyMouse on Monday, August 5, 2013 - 12:24

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Nothing really earth shattering to report for this release. It is still very accessible to use. For being Facebook this is no doubt the better app that is much more accessible. There are still a few unlabel buttons but nothing to worry about. The NEW features are just more novelty for thos with vision. No improvement to the accessibility and nothing was broken in this update.

What's New in Version 2.6

Now it's easier to send photos and emoji:
- Just tap the paper clip from any message
- Choose photos from Instagram and any other album on your phone

Don't forget about stickers: Tap the smiley to see what's new in the sticker store.

Bug fixes

By Cliff on Monday, August 5, 2013 - 12:24

Hi Thomas and all! :) Before I update, there's only one thing I must check with you. In the last update of the official Facebook app, they changed it so that when reading PM with VO, VO now reads the message first and then the name of the person who sent it. That's why I've stopped using the Facebook app for messaging and now only use Messenger, where the name still is read at the beginning of the message. Have they changed this also in the new Messenger update? I'm just waiting for that to happen one day... So frustrating to sit and listen through a long message, and get more and more curious to what crazy lunatic wierdo has sent me this message, and then, after listening for 1 minute, I find out that it's my mother! :) Lol! In the Messenger app, I can still skip that message if I want to, when the first thing I hear is my mothers name! Haha... :) Have a good one!

Hello Cliff, I'm afraid I have bad news. Yes, in this version the messages are read to you first follow by the Name and Date it was written. Umm, isn't that interesting. If this is an issue in how it reads to you then I will suggest to you NOT to update this version. It will be unclear if this will ever be changed or resolved. So good luck to you on this adventure. I will be sure in the future updates to the app. That I check how the messages are arranged. If they stay the same or have changed that I will make a note to this site about it. HTH

Hi guys before to do the new update for Facebook messager I seen one notable bug have you tried to use the voiceOver rotor feature on this new update? no right? okay it is almost unaccessible voiceover cursor go back and go back until the first word starting on the line.

I was waiting for that to happen with Messenger too... Well, I'm so glad I checked here first before updating, and then spending the rest of my life in a quiz-game with myself and those who sends me messages... Haha.. :) I'll be sure not to update then! But shouldn't we maybe find a way to get this through to the Facebook developers? It can't be that hard to fix that...? But I remember some time back, when I wanted to repport some bug to them, it was a real struggle getting in touch with them... So... I'm not sure about this... Maybe it's just me who finds the new order of things read frustrating... :) Anyways, thanks for the info, and enjoy the quiz! Lol! :)

Hello Marco, Not exactly sure what you are talking about. Can you help me in a bit more in details of what you mean? Any clerifications would be greatly appreciated.

Wow! Thanks! I Wasn't aware of that way of contacting them! Thought your only choice was to contact the accessibility team on twitter, and there's not really much you'll manage to explane on 140 letters... Yeah, I'll do that right away, but I'm also very curious to the responce, if I'll get one at all... I'll let you hear! :) Thanks!

Hi everyone, downloaded it today. I can't say how it works on IOS7 because I still remain on 6.4. My iPhone 5 but had a quick look at it and the 1st thing that struck me which. is good news and I hope that others can confirm this. Is that Voiceover now reads the person's name followed by the message again. Rejoyce! Update at your own risk. Here's the What's New below. What's New in Version 2.7 - It's now faster to open the app and switch between messages - Available in more languages: Croatian, Hungarian and Slovakian - Plus, improved scrolling and overall performance - Bug fixes

By AnonyMouse on Thursday, December 5, 2013 - 12:24

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

At first when I had reviewed this new update. It had looked like they have had done an outstanding job. It appeared at first to be fully accessible. Unfortunetly, there are a few problems with the app. When adding an attachment that would include either a picture or an audio. The menu does show up. You will have to search for it by your fingers. Flicking to the left or right doesn't appear to find it. So fro example if I want to record an audio. It will be towards the lower section of the screen. So using your fingers you will find the Record button and such. The other issue that I have is that at first. I thought they had removed the ability to delete your messages. Well, it turns out when you do a double tap hold. Flick left. There are three items to choose from. However, VO users will not be able to hear this. There are three options to Mute, Archive and such. If you know where to tap. It will work but VO will not let you know it is there. Other than these two issues. It appears to be working great. So it is not as fully accessible as I would like to be. :(

Would love to hear from others if they have found any issues that I may have looked over?

What's New in Version 3.0

What's New:
A completely new design, updated for IOS7. Custom in-app sounds.

Not just for Facebook friends: Now you can message people in your phone book. And it's easy to add new contacts—just enter a phone number.

 

By blindgator on Thursday, December 5, 2013 - 12:24

Like many I occasionally get the Facebook Messenger spam message which I want out of my recent messages. I never could figure out how to delete them. I just did in the new Messenger. When you are on the recent tab and it lists all of your recent conversations go to the one you want to delete. Double tab with one finger holding the second tap on the screen and flick left. Then double tap on the message to open it if you have done it correctly some options pop up instead of opening the message. The first one is archive which deletes the message. . I am sure the geniuses at Facebook could figure out an easier way for us using Voiceover to delete a message, but at least for now this works.

By Lisa on Thursday, December 5, 2013 - 12:24

Hello, I don't have the Facebook messenger app. I was just wondering though, What would the advantages be for having the FB messenger app instead of just talking to people with in the native FB app? Just curious is all. Thank you.

Others may have more to offer, including differing opinions. But for me, the native FB app was clunky; it caused VO to lag, and I just didn't like it. This gives me a quick and easy way to send Facebook messages.

By Samuel J on Thursday, December 5, 2013 - 12:24

How does one signout of their account in this version of the app? As in, if there is a different Facebook account that I want to link with the Facebook Messenger app, how do I signout of the one that is signed in currently? I believe one way would be to remove the app and then download/install it again, and link the account that way. But is there a way to do it from within the app? There was a way in the previous version, but it doesn't apply here since they rewamped the app and its layout.

Has anyone been trying to send voice messages with this app lately? If so, after you do the double tap and hold to record a message, does your Voiceover die a painful death? Mine sure does! Any suggestions?

By Daniel on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 - 12:24

Hi all, have been using the latest version of the Facebook Messenger to chat with a few friends in a conversation. We are arranging something for this coming Saturday. During the conversation using Messenger I felt that the latest version of it with Voiceover wasn't playing well together. I felt like at some points when the conversation got busy I should point out that were at least 5 people chatting here and the focus was jumping me up to the very top and I was struggling to get back down to the bottom again. This is while the replies of each person was going on. So in other words I am thinking its a focus issue with Voiceover and the latest version of Messenger aren't tracking there focus with each other as they should which brings me onto my question. Fortunatly, I have kept the .ipa files of some previous versions of the app and if any of you have the following version which one would you recommend is working well for you using Voiceover and IOS 7.0.6 Of course, this is assuming that I can even do this without the app store forcing me to update to the latest version and one more question. Should I successfully role back to a previous version will this conversation I am having be retained in the previous version? Ok here are the versions below. 2.7.2 3.0 3.1.1 3.1.2 I look forward to any feedback on this from anyone who uses messenger. Daniel

I find it hard to delete messages while using voiceover an facebook messenger. I wish that there was another way for the blind to b able to delete our messages in the recents tab . Or away that we can have that feature back to where we were able to delete by swiping down using 1 finger or the doubletap an hold feature where it would come up with a minue to where we can either archive, or delete the message that we wanted to delete. Like it is set in the facebook app. Any other suggestions? I would b exstreamly grateful if anyone else could help me figure that out. Thanks.

By KE7ZUM on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 - 12:24

I never delete my messages. I know I should but I just never do unless I have to. I'll have a play with it tonight if I remember and see if there's a way to remove messages.

I would try the old swipe and conform we all knew and loved in iOS 3 and higher.

Take care.

By AnonyMouse on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 - 12:24

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
Hello Angel, Must admit they could certainly work on this process. With some practice it will work. What one has to do is the following. 1. Go to the message you want perform a certain task 2. Double single finger tap and hold from the right side of the device 3. Now swipe towards the left 4. Now double tap on that message You should now get the options to Archive, Make it UnRead and etc. HTH