Facebook Messenger is a convenient way to communicate with friends and family through text messaging. If you want to access your Facebook messages on your phone without logging into the Facebook app, there are a few different options you can enable to receive notifications and reply to messages via SMS text.
Set Up Text Notifications for New Facebook Messages
The easiest way to get your Facebook messages on your phone is to set up text notifications each time you receive a new message. Here’s how to turn on text notifications for Facebook Messenger on both iPhone and Android:
On iPhone:
- Open the Facebook Messenger app
- Tap your profile picture in the top left
- Go to Settings & Privacy > Notifications
- Tap Push Notifications > Sound
- Toggle on “Text Message”
Once enabled, you’ll receive a text message each time someone sends you a new Facebook message. The text will include the name of the sender and a short preview of the message.
On Android:
- Open the Facebook Messenger app
- Tap your profile picture in the top left
- Go to Preferences > Notifications
- Toggle on “Get Text Message”
This will send a text to your phone with the sender’s name and a snippet of the message when you get a new Facebook message.
Set Up Text Reply for Facebook Messenger
In addition to notifications, you can also enable text reply for Facebook Messenger on iPhone and Android. This allows you to respond directly to a Facebook message by texting from your regular phone number.
On iPhone:
- Open the Facebook Messenger app
- Tap your profile picture in the top left
- Go to Settings & Privacy > Text Messaging
- Toggle on “Text Message Reply”
Now when you get a text notification for a new Facebook message, simply reply to the text like normal. Your reply will be sent through Facebook Messenger.
On Android:
- Open the Facebook Messenger app
- Tap your profile picture in the top left
- Go to Preferences > SMS Settings
- Toggle on “Turn On Text Message Reply”
With text reply enabled, you can have a full conversation over Facebook Messenger, sending and receiving messages completely via text.
Connect Facebook Page to Phone Number
Pages on Facebook can also enable text messaging to receive and reply to incoming messages. Here’s how to connect your Facebook Page to a phone number for two-way messaging:
- Go to your Facebook Page
- Click Settings in the top right
- Select Messaging from the left menu
- Click Connect Messaging to Phone Number
- Enter your phone number and select your country
- Choose if you want to receive messages by Text Message or WhatsApp
- Click Confirm Code when the verification code is sent to your phone
Once connected, people will be able to send messages to your Facebook Page by texting your linked phone number. You can reply directly from your phone’s text messaging app.
Use Third-Party Apps to Get Facebook Messages by Text
If you don’t want to enable text messaging directly through Facebook Messenger, there are third-party apps you can use to forward your Facebook messages to text:
- Notify for Facebook: Forwards Facebook notifications to your phone via SMS text message or push notifications. (iOS, Android)
- Textie: Forwards messages from Facebook Messenger to your phone by SMS text. (iOS, Android)
- Pulse SMS: Syncs Facebook Messenger conversations to your phone to text. (Android)
- Pushbullet: Forwards notifications from Facebook Messenger and other apps to your devices. (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac)
These apps can provide more customization options for how and when you receive your Facebook messages by text. However, they require providing access to a third-party service.
Access Facebook Messages on a Computer
If you primarily want to access your Facebook messages on a computer rather than your phone, you have a couple options:
- Enable desktop notifications for Messenger – This will show pop-up notifications on your computer when you receive new Facebook messages.
- Use Messenger in a browser – You can access Facebook Messenger by going to www.messenger.com in your browser without logging into Facebook.
While you won’t get SMS text notifications, these options allow you to quickly view and respond to Facebook messages on a computer without having to log in and out of Facebook.
Change Settings at Any Time
It’s easy to try out text messaging with Facebook Messenger and disable it if you don’t like it. Just toggle the text settings off in Messenger at any time to disable notifications or text reply. The process is the same as outlined above.
Keeping text messaging enabled for Facebook Messenger is an easy way to stay on top of conversations without constantly checking the app. Choose the options that work best for you across iOS, Android, and desktop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Facebook Messenger work with texting?
Yes, Facebook Messenger has options to enable SMS text notifications and text replies for new messages. You can access these settings within the Messenger app on both iOS and Android.
Do I need a Facebook account to text Messenger?
You need an active Facebook account to use Messenger and enable text messaging. There is no way to text Messenger just with a phone number, you must link it to your Facebook account.
Can I text from my Facebook Page?
Yes, Facebook Pages can connect a phone number to receive and send messages via text. This allows people to message your Page directly from their phone’s texting app.
Does Messenger take up extra text messages?
No, texting with Messenger does not use your cellular text message allowance. The texts are sent through data, so it does not have an impact on limited text messaging plans.
Can I get Messenger texts on my computer?
You can enable desktop notifications to see new Facebook Messenger messages pop up on your PC. Or you can access Messenger conversations at www.messenger.com without logging into Facebook.
Conclusion
Facebook Messenger makes it easy to get your messages right on your phone using SMS text notifications and replies. Just dive into the settings within the Messenger app to get started. You can also use third-party apps for even more customization. With all the options available, you’ll never miss an important Facebook message again.