Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

11 useful Facebook Messenger features you didn't know existed

The app actually gives you the freedom to get rid of your Facebook account

Aatif Sulleyman

Wednesday 26 July 2017 19:17 BST

WhatsApp and Facebook messenger icons are seen on an iPhone in Manchester , Britain March 27, 2017 (Reuters)

Facebook Messenger is arguably more useful than the actual social network these days.

Since splitting it from the Facebook app, the company has added loads of new features to its messaging service.

While many of them are designed purely to make you waste more time on your phone or computer, there are some that are genuinely very practical.

For instance, one helps you keep your data private, and another gives you the freedom to get rid of your Facebook account.

We’ve rounded up a selection of the best. Click on the gallery below to start browsing.

11 useful Facebook Messenger features you didn't know existed

Show all 11

1/1111 useful Facebook Messenger features you didn't know existed

11 useful Facebook Messenger features you didn't know existed

Go Facebook-free

One of the best things about Messenger being split from the main Facebook app is that you can use it without actually having an active Facebook account. Simply log in with your phone number, rather than your Facebook profile.

11 useful Facebook Messenger features you didn't know existed

Share music

If you use your Facebook account to log in to Spotify, you can use Messenger to easily share songs with your friends. Just tap the + icon in a chat and tap the Spotify button that pops up.

11 useful Facebook Messenger features you didn't know existed

Protect your privacy

Privacy is important, and Messenger lets you protect your chats by switching on encryption. Just open a conversation, hit the options key and select Secret Conversation. You can even choose to make your messages disappear, by tapping the clock icon in the text box and setting a timer.

11 useful Facebook Messenger features you didn't know existed

Plans and polls

A lot of people use Messenger primarily to organise events, and the app has a dedicated tool for making plans. In a chat, hit the options key, select Start A Plan and enter the right time and date. In group chats, you can also create polls by tapping the + key in the bottom left-hand corner.

11 useful Facebook Messenger features you didn't know existed

Games

You can play games on Messenger by tapping the joystick icon that sits in the bottom right-hand corner of the home screen. Classics including Pac-Man, Space Invaders and Snake are available alongside newer titles, and you can also play against your friends.

11 useful Facebook Messenger features you didn't know existed

Hidden messages

Like email providers, Messenger has its own spam filter that keeps messages from people who aren’t your friends on Facebook away from your inbox. You can find them by tapping the phone book icon at the bottom of the screen and selecting Message Requests.

11 useful Facebook Messenger features you didn't know existed

Themes and nicknames

Blue is Messenger’s default theme, but you can change this by opening a chat, hitting the options button and selecting colour. It won’t change your life, but it’s nice to have the option. You can also create nicknames for yourself and your friends.

11 useful Facebook Messenger features you didn't know existed

Messenger Day

Messenger Day is almost exactly like Snapchat Stories, letting you post edited pictures and videos that disappear after 24 hours. Just tap Add To Your Day or the circular icon at the bottom of the Messenger home screen, take a picture or video, edit it and post it to Messenger.

11 useful Facebook Messenger features you didn't know existed

Resize emoji

If you ever get really bored, you can try resizing emoji by tapping and holding them to make them swell up.

11 useful Facebook Messenger features you didn't know existed

Chatbots

Facebook wants you to start using Messenger to speak to businesses, and you can do this by having a conversation with one of tens of thousands of chatbots. It’s a strange feature you can access by tapping the search bar at the top of the app and either browsing the list of suggested bots or looking for a specific one by typing in a company name.

11 useful Facebook Messenger features you didn't know existed

Transfer money

You can even send and receive money through Messenger, but only in the US right now. In chat, just hit the + icon in a chat, tap the $ key, type the amount you want to transfer and enter your card details.

Read all of our latest Facebook news here.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies