Facebook Messenger is commonly known for its services as a chat app where users can exchange text, voice and video notes as well as make voice and video calls.
Not so many people are aware that this Facebook-owned chat app can also work in the same capacity as PayPal. This is something very few saw coming, especially after the app received harsh welcoming following its official split from the main Facebook app back in 2014.
One would ask themselves why Facebook would want people to download an entire app just to chat with friends when the same was still happening from inside the Facebook app. Well, as it seems, bigger things were coming and actually, this app has more than 800 million monthly active users, with more expected to join with time. We’ve seen voice and video calls come on board, chat bots have also made their way to the platform, it is now possible to play games right from within the application and guess what, it is now possible to make mobile payments through Facebook Messenger.
Setting up Facebook Messenger mobile payments
Just like you use PayPal to send and receive money, it is possible to do the same from within Facebook Messenger and never leave the app in the process. However, there is a catch. In order for this to be successful, both the sender and recipient need debit cards, however, unlike PayPal; there are no charges for using the service. On the side of security, the Messenger mobile transfer service makes use of a PIN-based system with what the company terms as “industry-leading security.”
To send your friend money via Facebook Messenger, open the app and tap on the Profile icon. From the resulting menu, scroll downwards and select Payments. This is for Android users and in case of iOS users, tap on Settings and then head directly to Payments. From there, both platforms will require that you enter your debit card details to complete the process.
When done, look for the person you want to send money or request money from and open a chat with them. In the chat, tap on the “More” icon located on the toolbar and follow it by tapping on Payments. You can bypass the info screen by tapping the “Next” option and the next thing will be to enter the payment details, that is, the amount to send or receive and a note of what the payment is meant for. Once you are done with these, tap on “Pay” and that’s it.
In case of requesting money, rather than tap on Pay, go for the “Request” option right at the top of the screen. Go ahead and enter the amount you want to be sent and the reason for receiving the money and proceed by tapping on the “Request” button. The recipient will then choose to accept or deny the transaction by a simple tap of a button.
One thing you need to keep in mind is that Facebook Messenger mobile payments have no room for credit cards, so make sure you have a debit card before thinking of sending your friend money via the chat app.