The unfilled check mark on Messenger indicates that a message has been sent but not yet delivered to the recipient’s device. There are a few possible reasons why a sent message may still have an unfilled check mark:
- The recipient may have a poor internet connection or be in an area with bad reception.
- The recipient’s device is turned off or in airplane mode.
- The recipient’s inbox may be full which can prevent new messages from coming in.
- There may be an issue with the Messenger service itself leading to a delay.
An unfilled check mark simply means the message is still in the process of being delivered. It does not necessarily signify a problem. The sender just needs to wait a bit for the check mark to fill in once the recipient gets the message.
When Does the Unfilled Check Mark Appear?
The unfilled check mark appears after you send a new message on Messenger. When you hit send, a check mark will immediately appear to the right of your message:
This unfilled check just indicates your message is now leaving your device and heading to the recipient. It has not yet reached their device or been seen by them.
The check mark will remain unfilled for a short time, usually a few seconds, as the message is transmitted. Once it reaches the recipient’s device and Messenger registers it as delivered, the check mark will fill in with a solid blue color:
So in summary, the sequence is:
- Send a message and an unfilled check instantly appears.
- The check remains unfilled for a brief period as the message is in transit.
- Once delivered, the check mark becomes filled.
The unfilled check serves as a sort of progress indicator to let you know the message is on its way but not yet through.
How Long Can the Check Mark Stay Unfilled?
The unfilled check mark generally transitions to filled very quickly, usually in a matter of seconds. However, sometimes the unfilled state can last longer for a variety of reasons:
- Poor network connection on sender or receiver’s end can lead to slower message transmission.
- Recipient may have bad reception area leading to delayed delivery.
- Messenger service disruptions may extend the unfilled period.
- Recipient’s inbox being full or device off can prevent delivery.
While most unfilled check marks become filled within a minute or two, it’s not uncommon for it to sometimes take up to an hour or longer if conditions are right.
As a rule of thumb:
- Within 0-10 seconds is normal
- Within 10 seconds to 5 minutes is still quite common
- Beyond 5 minutes may indicate an issue
If the check is still unfilled after an hour or more, it likely means the message was never properly delivered.
What to Do About an Unfilled Check Mark
In most cases, the unfilled check mark will simply fill in after a short waiting period as the message finalizes delivery. However, if you notice your message has remained unfilled for a prolonged timeframe of 10+ minutes, you may want to take action:
- Double check your internet connection and try sending another test message to confirm if the issue is on your end.
- Ask the recipient if they are receiving messages properly.
- Try sending the message again in case the first attempt failed to go through.
- Restart the Messenger app and your device to troubleshoot.
- Report the issue to Messenger if you suspect a wider service problem.
An easy first troubleshooting step is to simply resend the message. If it goes through on the second try, then the initial message likely got stuck.
However, if the check remains stubbornly unfilled even on repeat attempts, notify the recipient through another channel that messages appear to not be reaching them. They can then check their connectivity and Messenger notifications settings.
Why the Unfilled Check Mark is Important
The unfilled check mark provides important feedback to Messenger users about the status of their messages. Without this visual indicator:
- You would not know if your message actually left your device successfully.
- You would not know the message is currently in transmission to the recipient.
- You would not be alerted if there was a delay or failure in delivery.
By reflecting the interim state between send and delivery, the unfilled check gives you assurance that the message is on its way. If it stays unfilled for long, you know there may be a problem needing attention.
Some key benefits of the unfilled check mark include:
- Confirms your message has been sent – Reassures you it has left your device after hitting send.
- Indicates message in transit – Lets you know it’s underway to the recipient but hasn’t reached yet.
- Alerts you to potential delivery issues – A persistently unfilled check could mean a problem needing troubleshooting.
- Provides feedback on transmission speed – A quick fill implies a speedy delivery while slow fill may indicate issues.
Without the unfilled check providing this interim feedback, you would be left unsure of the message status after sending. The filled check mark alone doesn’t tell you if or when the message actually left your device – only that it eventually reached its destination.
Unfilled Check vs. Single Check vs. Double Check
In addition to the unfilled check mark, Messenger also uses check marks to indicate other delivery statuses:
- Unfilled check – Message sent, awaiting delivery.
- Single filled check – Message delivered to recipient’s device.
- Double filled check – Message has been read by recipient.
These three check mark types give you precise visibility into your message’s journey:
| Check Mark Type | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Unfilled | Sent but still in transit |
| Single filled | Successfully delivered |
| Double filled | Opened and read by recipient |
Without this system, you would lack the ability to distinguish these key stages of communication. The unfilled check mark therefore plays an important role in completing Messenger’s messaging feedback loop.
Unfilled Check On Other Messaging Apps
The unfilled check mark is not unique to just Messenger – many other popular messaging apps also utilize it:
- WhatsApp – Unfilled check turns filled when delivered.
- Signal – Unfilled check indicates message not yet delivered.
- Telegram – Unfilled double check means message undelivered.
- Skype – Light gray check turns dark gray when delivered.
Despite some minor visual differences, the core meaning remains the same. The unfilled check is an industry standard for signifying a message is sent but still in transit. This pending state is important to visualize, since users want confirmation their messages have successfully dispatched even if not yet received.
Other Unfilled Icons Besides the Check Mark
In addition to unfilled check marks, other popular messaging apps use different icons to represent the pending sent state:
| App | Unfilled Icon | Filled Icon |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook Messenger | Unfilled check | Filled check |
| Unfilled check | Filled check | |
| Viber | Clock icon | Double check |
| Snapchat | Hourglass icon | Filled arrow |
| Unfilled double check | Filled double check |
The clock, hourglass, and unfilled double check all serve the same purpose of indicating the message is still making its way to the recipient. These unfilled pending icons are then replaced with a filled version like the check mark once delivery is successful.
Unfilled Check On Facebook Messenger
Since Facebook Messenger popularized use of the check mark for delivery status, let’s look closer at how its unfilled check mark specifically functions.
When you send a Facebook message, the steps are:
- Type out your message in the Messenger app.
- Hit the send button to dispatch it.
- An unfilled check mark instantly appears next to the message.
- Within seconds, this check mark becomes filled when delivered.
This unfilled check serves an important purpose. Since Facebook lacks delivery receipts like SMS texting, the check mark is the only indicator your message has left your device. Without it, you’d have no idea if the message actually sent.
If the unfilled check fails to change to filled after an extended time, it likely signals:
- Poor internet connection on your or recipient’s end.
- The recipient’s account privacy settings may be blocking your message.
- Your message is caught in a spam filter.
- The recipient’s inbox is full.
Troubleshooting steps include resending the message, checking your internet connection, contacting the recipient through another method, or reporting the issue to Facebook.
One minor exception with Facebook’s unfilled check mark behavior exists when messaging groups. For group messages, the check will fill even if just one group member receives your message. So it may misleadingly appear delivered even if other members had issues.
Conclusion
The unfilled check mark on Messenger and other messaging apps provides important transmission status feedback to users. It confirms your message has begun sending while still pending delivery to the recipient.
Though normally unfilled just briefly, a persistently unfilled check could signal problems needing attention. The unfilled state represents a critical midpoint in the messaging process. Without it, senders would lack vital visibility into whether their messages successfully dispatched in the first place.