Dark blue messages on Messenger indicate that a message has been delivered but not yet seen by the recipient. When you send a message on Messenger, it will initially show up as a lighter blue color. Once the message has been successfully delivered to the recipient’s device or app, the color will change to a darker shade of blue.
How do Messenger message colors work?
Messenger uses different message colors to indicate the status of a message in real-time:
- Light blue – Message sent, not yet delivered
- Dark blue – Message delivered, not yet seen
- Read receipts on – Message seen by recipient
So when you see a dark blue message, it means the message has been delivered and is sitting unread on the recipient’s phone. The recipient may see a notification that they have a new message, but they have not yet actively opened the Messenger app to view it.
Why does it turn dark blue?
There are a few reasons why a sent message may turn dark blue after being delivered:
- The recipient has not opened the Messenger app since you sent the message
- They have the app open but they are active in another chat or menu
- They’ve seen the message notification but have not tapped on it
- They have messenger open but the app is running in the background
Essentially, the dark blue indicates the message is waiting on the recipient’s end for them to view it. Messenger considers it “delivered” because it has reached the recipient’s device or app.
What if it stays light blue?
If a message remains light blue, it means it is still sending and has not yet been delivered. Some common reasons for this include:
- Poor internet connection on the sender or recipient’s end
- The recipient has their internet or Messenger app turned off
- The recipient has blocked the sender
- The Messenger app is experiencing a technical issue
If a message stays light blue for an extended period, you may want to check your internet connection or restart the Messenger app. Persistent sending issues could indicate a block or app glitch.
What if it never turns blue?
In some cases, a sent message may never change colors on the sender’s end. There are a couple reasons this can happen:
- The recipient has the chat or sender muted – you won’t see any delivery receipts
- The recipient has read receipts turned off – you won’t see if it’s read
With muted chats or read receipts disabled, your messages will stay light blue because you can’t see their delivered/read status. The recipient is still getting them but you have no visibility on your end.
Can you unsend a dark blue message?
Unfortunately, once a message has been delivered and turned dark blue, you cannot delete or recall it. The unsend feature only works on light blue messages that are still sending. Some things to keep in mind:
- You have up to 10 minutes to unsend a light blue message after sending
- Deleting will remove the message from your view but not the recipient’s if they’ve already seen it
- Unsending only works if both you and the recipient are using the latest version of Messenger
So if you notice an embarrassing typo or regrettable message, act quickly while it’s still light blue to unsend!
How long do dark blue messages stay dark blue?
Dark blue messages will remain dark blue indefinitely until the recipient opens the chat. The message color will not change back to light blue if it remains unread. Some recipients never open certain message requests or active chats. If it’s urgent, you may want to follow up via another communication channel.
Once opened, the dark blue message will turn light blue again if you have read receipts enabled. If it turns light blue, you know the recipient has seen the message. The exception is if they have read receipts turned off, in which case the dark blue will stay.
Can you see if a dark blue message was seen?
You cannot definitively see if a dark blue message has been seen unless you have read receipts enabled. With read receipts:
- Dark blue message turns light blue when recipient opens chat
- “Seen” text appears under message when recipient reads it
If you don’t have read receipts on, a dark blue message staying dark blue does not guarantee the recipient has not seen it. They may have read it without you knowing.
Troubleshooting dark blue messages
If you’re having issues with messages stuck in dark blue limbo, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Check your internet connection and restart the Messenger app
- Make sure you have the latest version of Messenger
- Turn Airplane Mode on/off to reset connection
- Open chat on desktop Messenger to see if message is stuck sending
- Clear Messenger app cache and data to refresh the app
- Ask the recipient if they’re having any messaging issues
Persistent dark blue messages could indicate a problem on the recipient’s end or with the Messenger platform. If accessible, try contacting the recipient through another method.
Conclusion
To recap, a dark blue Facebook Messenger message means the message has been delivered to the recipient but not yet read. It will turn from light blue to dark blue when received by the recipient’s device. Dark blue indicates the message is waiting unopened on their end. If read receipts are enabled, it will turn light blue again when opened, with a “Seen” text.
Troubleshoot any messages stuck dark blue by checking connections, app issues, or contacting the recipient. While you cannot unsend dark blue messages, you can still delete them from your end after sending. Understanding Messenger’s color messaging system helps clarify when your messages are being sent, delivered, and read.
| Message Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Light Blue | Sent, not yet delivered |
| Dark Blue | Delivered, not yet read |
| Light Blue + “Seen” text | Opened and read by recipient |
What if a message doesn’t deliver?
If a Messenger message remains light blue and never changes to dark blue, it likely means there was an issue delivering the message. Here are some potential reasons a message may fail to deliver:
- Poor internet connection on your end or the recipient’s end
- Messaging service interruption or app glitch
- Outdated version of the Messenger app on either end
- Recipient has messaging disabled or notifications turned off
- Recipient’s account is deactivated or deleted
- You’ve been blocked by the recipient in Messenger
To troubleshoot an undelivered message that stays stubbornly light blue:
- Check your internet connection and restart your device and Messenger app
- Make sure you have the latest version of Messenger
- Toggle Airplane mode on and off to reset the connection
- Try sending from a different device if possible to test
- Open the chat on desktop Messenger to see if the message is stuck sending
- Clear the app cache and data, then reopen Messenger
- Double check that the recipient’s account is still active and hasn’t blocked you
If there’s an ongoing issue delivering your message, you may need to reach out to the recipient through another communication method or follow up at a later time. Persistent send issues could point to a technical problem or block.
Why can’t I unsend a message?
Messenger only allows you to unsend or delete messages that are still light blue and actively sending. Once a message turns dark blue, indicating it’s been delivered, you can no longer remove it.
Here are some key factors about the unsend feature:
- You have up to 10 minutes after sending to unsend a light blue message
- Unsending will only remove the message from your view, not the recipient’s view if they already read it
- It only works if both you and the recipient are using the latest version of Messenger
So if you notice an error or regret sending a message, act fast while it’s still sending to remove it. If it’s already delivered and dark blue, there is no way to delete it.
A few troubleshooting tips for unsending issues:
- Double check your time limit has not expired
- Make sure you’re using the latest Messenger app
- Ask the recipient to update their Messenger version if needed
- Try unsending from desktop Messenger instead
- Restart your device and Messenger app to troubleshoot problems
If you rely on being able to unsend messages, keep the 10 minute window in mind. Messenger only allows retracting messages that have not yet been delivered.
Can I turn off message delivery receipts?
Yes, it is possible to disable read receipts and delivery receipts (message color changes) in Messenger. Here’s how to turn them off:
- Open the Messenger app and tap your profile photo
- Go to Privacy settings
- Tap on Activity Status
- Toggle off Read Receipts and/or Delivery Receipts
With one or both turned off:
- Your messages will always appear light blue instead of turning dark blue when delivered
- You won’t see “Seen” indicators when messages are read
Important notes about disabling delivery receipts:
- Recipient can still see if you’ve read their messages to you
- Useful if you want to privately read messages without sender knowing
- You won’t know for sure if your messages are being delivered
So turning off these settings provides more privacy but less messaging insight. Use judiciously depending on your preferences and message context.
What do Messenger notifications mean?
In addition to message colors, Messenger also uses notifications to provide message status updates. Here’s what different Messenger notifications can mean:
| Notification | Meaning |
|---|---|
| “Delivered” | Message was successfully delivered to recipient’s device |
| “Seen” | Recipient has viewed the message |
| “Couldn’t send” | Message failed to deliver due to an error |
| New message sound/vibration | Incoming message received |
| New chat dot | Unopened message in a chat |
Having notifications enabled allows Messenger to alert you in real-time about message status changes. You can manage notification settings within the app to control which you receive.
Should I be concerned if messages turn green?
No, green messages in Messenger are completely normal. They indicate that a message was sent by you to yourself in an individual chat. You may see green messages if:
- You’ve created a chat with your own account
- You are testing Messenger features
- You’ve forwarded a message to yourself
So rest assured, green just means you are the sender and recipient of that particular message. It’s nothing to worry about and functions the same as any other message.
How can I troubleshoot Messenger issues?
Here are some general tips for troubleshooting Messenger problems:
- Force close and restart the Messenger app
- Update Messenger to ensure you have the latest version
- Check for Messenger service outages online
- Turn your phone to Airplane mode briefly to reset connectivity
- Clear Messenger’s cache and data to refresh the app
- Delete and reinstall the Messenger app if needed
- Restart your phone to clear any app issues
- Reset your router if you have internet connectivity problems
For chat-specific issues, you can try:
- Making sure you haven’t been blocked by the recipient
- Asking the recipient if they are having messaging problems too
- Trying WiFi instead of mobile data or vice versa
- Checking if the recipient’s account is still active
Persistent Messenger troubles may require contacting Messenger support, especially if wider service disruptions are occurring. But some simple app and device resets can often quickly fix general messaging problems.