How to view messages on facebook without messenger

Facebook messages are a great way to keep in touch with your friends, except for one thing. A few years ago, Facebook separated messages from the main Facebook app on mobile. So if you’re on your phone and want to check a new Facebook message, you can’t—unless you also have Facebook Messenger installed.

For most folks, that’s not an issue. They’ve downloaded Messenger and love it. However, for those of us steadfastly determined not to use or download Messenger, that means missing out on timely Facebook messages.

Or does it? Turns out, there are a few ways you can check your Facebook messages without having Messenger installed. You just have to use your phone’s browser.

How to check Facebook messages without Messenger

The easiest way is to head to Messenger.com. On the desktop, this site acts as a messages-only portal. If you open it on your mobile browser, though, the site will redirect you to downloading the Messenger app. The workaround: In your browser settings, tap “Request desktop site.” On iOS, you can find this setting by tapping the share button in Safari. On Android, tap the three dot menu icon in the upper right-hand corner.

Screengrab via Facebook

Similarly, you can go to Facebook.com/messenger to shoot a message to friends.