Facebook Messenger allows users to send and receive money through its payments feature. When you send money on Messenger, it may seem instantaneous, but there are actually some factors that determine when the payment will go through.
Sending money through Messenger
To send money on Facebook Messenger, both the sender and recipient need to have the payments feature enabled in their app. The sender can select the payments icon, choose the amount to send, and confirm the transaction.
When the payment is initiated, the recipient will receive a notification that they’ve been sent money. They will need to add their payment information, such as a debit card, to accept the money.
Is the money transfer instant?
While it seems like the money is sent immediately when you hit confirm, there are a couple factors that determine when the recipient actually receives the funds:
- The recipient must accept the payment – The money is not actually transferred until the recipient accepts the payment. This requires them to set up their payment information if they have not already.
- Bank/payment processor transfer times – The speed of the bank transfer depends on the sender’s bank, recipient’s bank, and the payment processor used. Transfers can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days in some cases.
- Payments feature availability – Both users must have the payments feature enabled to send/receive money. If the recipient does not yet have access, it will take longer to set up.
How long do Messenger money transfers take?
There is no single answer for how long Messenger money transfers take, since there are several factors at play. Here are some general timeframes to expect:
| Transfer Time | Details |
|---|---|
| Seconds to minutes | If both the sender and recipient are set up with Messenger payments, have compatible banks, and immediate transfer options, the money can be received in seconds or minutes in optimal conditions. |
| Hours | More commonly it takes 1-3 hours for money to be received if both parties are already fully set up. This allows time for the banks and payment processor to communicate and finalize the transfer. |
| Days | If the recipient needs time to set up their account, verify their identity, add a debit card, etc., it may take up to 1-3 business days to complete the money transfer process. |
So while the Messenger payment seems instant, banks typically need some time to process and validate the transaction before funds are available to the recipient. The transfer itself is rarely immediate unless under optimal conditions.
Factors that affect Messenger transfer speed
There are a few key factors that impact how quickly or slowly a Messenger money transfer completes:
Recipient setup/verification
In order for the recipient to get paid, they need to have payment account setup in Messenger. This requires adding and verifying their payment method, which could take some time. If they have existing account setup, money can transfer faster.
Bank/processor transfer limits
Banks and payment processors often have daily volume limits on transfers. If exceeding limits, some transfers may be held until the next business day. This could slow payments.
Identity verification
To prevent fraud, banks and Messenger may require ID verification for large transfers, new recipients, etc. Delays for verification slow the process.
Bank availability
Transfers can only complete on business days when banks are operating. Payments initiated on weekends/holidays may be delayed.
Incompatible banks
Some smaller banks are not supported by major payment processors. In these cases, transfers may take longer to facilitate between incompatible banks.
Tips for faster Messenger money transfers
Here are some tips to help speed up transfer times on Facebook Messenger:
- Set up your Messenger payment account ahead of time – Add your card and verify identity before sending/receiving money.
- Use larger national banks when possible – Big banks tend to process faster with compatible systems.
- Transfer early in the day or week – Transfers done earlier have more time to process before end-of-day or weekend deadlines.
- Stay under volume limits – Keep transfer amounts under daily maximums imposed by banks or Messenger.
- Confirm recipient’s setup – Make sure the recipient is ready to accept the transfer right away.
- Enable immediate transfer options – Some banks support instant transfers for a fee.
Troubleshooting delays
If your Messenger money transfer is delayed longer than expected, here are some steps to troubleshoot:
- Check bank websites for alerts or delays
- Contact your bank to confirm they have received the transfer request
- Verify your Messenger payment account and method are properly set up
- Contact the recipient to ensure they have accepted the transfer
- Confirm identities have been verified if required to receive larger amounts
- Check if banks are incompatible or have reached maximums
- Attempt transfer again on a business day in case of weekend/holiday delays
Conclusion
While Facebook Messenger money transfers may seem instant, the banking system requires time to fully process and validate transactions before funds are available to recipients. Typical transfer times range from minutes to days depending on bank compatibility, identity verifications, recipient setup, and other processing factors. With proper account setup and considering limitations, Messenger can provide a convenient way to send money that is relatively fast compared to traditional wire transfers or checks.