The Facebook text number is a phone number that allows users to send and receive texts directly through Facebook Messenger. This feature provides an alternative way for people to communicate with businesses, friends, and others on Facebook without needing a separate texting app. Here are some quick answers about the Facebook text number:
What is the Facebook text number used for?
The main uses of the Facebook text number include:
- Texting with businesses – Customers can text with businesses directly through Facebook Messenger instead of using a separate number.
- Texting friends and family – Users can text anyone else who uses Facebook Messenger through the texting feature.
- Two-factor authentication – Facebook may send authentication codes through text to verify user identities.
- Notifications – Text notifications about Facebook activity can be received through the Facebook text number.
- Advertising – Businesses can buy a Facebook text number to advertise through text and communicate with customers.
How do you get a Facebook text number?
There are a few ways to get a Facebook text number:
- Personal Facebook text number – All users are automatically assigned a personal Facebook text number linked to their account when they enable Messenger texting.
- Business Facebook text number – Businesses can set up a text number for their Facebook Page to interact with customers.
- Purchased text number – Facebook offers the option to purchase a dedicated text number to use for Messenger communications.
- Forwarding text number – You can forward an existing phone number to your Facebook text number.
What are the benefits of a Facebook text number?
Some benefits of having a Facebook text number include:
- Convenience – Text directly within the Facebook Messenger app instead of switching between apps.
- Global reach – Text people worldwide using WiFi without phone plans or fees.
- Integration – Unified conversations when texting businesses or friends.
- Advertising – Businesses can advertise their Facebook text number.
- Viral – Share a text number to quickly spread info and connect with people.
How much does a Facebook text number cost?
For personal Facebook accounts, texting through Messenger is free. Users are automatically assigned a text number when they enable Messenger texting.
For businesses, here are the Facebook text number costs:
- Free text number – Pages can get a free text number when setting up Messaging.
- Purchased number – Numbers start around $2 per month, plus any text messaging fees.
- Forwarded number – No monthly cost to forward an existing number.
Text messaging rates apply when businesses send outbound texts to customers. Typical fees range from $0.003-$0.08 per text sent or received.
How do I enable Facebook texting?
To enable Facebook texting:
- Open the Facebook Messenger app on your smartphone.
- Tap your profile picture in the top left.
- Tap Turn on Texting.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to verify your identity.
- You will receive a 6-digit authentication code via text.
- Enter the code in the Messenger app to confirm your number.
Once enabled, you can start sending SMS texts from within Messenger to anyone else on Facebook.
Can you text from a computer?
Yes, you can send and receive Facebook texts from a computer by:
- Going to www.facebook.com in any web browser.
- Opening a Messenger conversation window.
- Typing and sending a message like normal.
The message will be delivered as a text to the recipient’s Facebook text number. You do not need a smartphone to use Facebook texting.
Is Facebook Messenger free?
Yes, Facebook Messenger and its texting features are entirely free to use, including:
- Downloading and using the Messenger app
- Sending unlimited texts, photos, videos, and audio
- Group messaging and video calls
- Using Messenger on a computer
- Texting worldwide over WiFi
The only costs may be if a business sends texts to its customers or purchases a dedicated Facebook text number to use for Messenger.
How do I block someone on Facebook Messenger?
To block someone on Facebook Messenger:
- Open your Messenger app and tap the conversation with the person you want to block.
- Tap their name at the top of the chat window.
- Tap Block Contact.
- Confirm that you want to block the user. They will no longer be able to contact you.
Alternatively, you can go to your Facebook privacy settings and add the person to your blocked list to block them across Facebook.
Can you text to landlines with Facebook Messenger?
Unfortunately no, Facebook Messenger does not have the capability to text landline telephones at this time. The recipient must have a smartphone with Messenger installed and texting enabled to exchange Facebook texts.
However, there are some third-party services that allow you to send texts to landlines and phones without smartphones for a fee.
Can I use my Facebook text number for verification?
Yes, your personal Facebook text number can be used for receiving verification codes by SMS text message. Many apps, services, and logins require phone verification.
To use your Facebook text number for verification:
- Enable texting in Messenger and verify your number.
- When a site or app asks for your number, input your Facebook text number.
- Use the 6-digit codes sent to your Messenger inbox for verification.
This allows you to conveniently verify your identity without needing to use your actual mobile number.
Is Facebook Messenger Safe?
Facebook Messenger uses multiple security measures to keep your conversations and information safe, including:
- End-to-end encryption – Messages are secured so only you and the recipient can read them.
- Authentication – Options like two-factor authentication require extra verification.
- User reporting – You can report suspicious content or contacts.
- Moderation – Facebook monitors Messenger for spam, abuse, and violations.
- Data privacy – Your data and activity is kept private according to your settings.
Overall Facebook Messenger is very safe to use for texting, but you should still be smart about who you message and what information you share.
Conclusion
Facebook’s Messenger texting provides a convenient way to reach friends, businesses, and anyone else on Facebook without needing a separate texting number or app. By enabling Messenger texting, you unlock a free text messaging option accessible across devices. Just be aware of costs and restrictions when texting businesses. With security measures and privacy controls, Messenger offers a generally safe platform to carry out your texting needs worldwide.