Finally, Facebook Messenger app for iPad has been launched by Facebook and is available for download. Till now Facebook app had same interface for both iPhone as well as iPad. But now, Facebook has launched Facebook Messenger with a specially designed interface for iPad. It uses two pane interface design principle of iPad to display every function of the app. The exclusive Facebook Messenger app for iPad makes it easy and comfortable to chat, and switch between multiple chats.
The app comes with most of the features of earlier iPhone messenger app like sending images, writing text, stickers, audio clippings, voice calling with Messenger app, making groups, etc..
Even though this app introduces a nice layout especially for iPad, I actually found that a few of the features that are present in iPhone app are missing in the iPad version. For example, iPhone Facebook Messenger has Split Selfie and video recording option, which I was not able to find in this iPad version.
Using Official Facebook Messenger App for iPad:
If you install Facebook Messenger on your iPad for the first time, then you need to sign-in to app using your Facebook account. On login, you will be welcomed by all new and improved interface of the app. The interface gives an impression of using a native iPad app, and not just a blown up iPhone app.
As I mentioned in the beginning, the interface has become a two pane interface. You will see that all the four main options of the app have moved to left pane. These options are: Recent, Groups, People, and Settings.
The Recent option displays all of your chats on the left pane, are sorted by time (see screenshot above). The most recent chats are at top while old ones at the bottom. You can tap on any chat to view full conversation on the right side. In this way, you can easily switch between multiple chats by simply tapping on the one which you want to view. While viewing full conversation, you can see all other common features, like, time stamp for each message, but you need to tap on each message individually.
If you want to have voice call with any of your friends, tap on the friend’s name and then tap on Call icon at top right side of the conversation pane.
You can see that there is an icon at extreme top right corner that offers you info about the current conversation. Tap on it to Mute friend, Add friends to conversation, Check profile, and check photos shared in conversation. The mute friend option lets you mute all notifications for current conversation.
The other options related to conversation like sending images, stickers, audio clip, etc. are placed at bottom, as is in iPhone version of app.
Other Features of Official Facebook Messenger App for iPad:
- Groups: Use this option to create groups for having group chats. You can also pin your favorite groups here by simple drag and drop feature.
- People: Check complete list of your Facebook friends from here, along with separate section to check friends who are currently online.
- Settings: Manage your notification settings and other profile settings from here. You can also log out from your account here.
You may also like: 5 free iPhone Facebook Messenger Apps.
Final Verdict:
Facebook Messenger app for iPad is really easy to use app which makes it comfortable to chat on iPad. The app makes full use of iPad’s huge screen by divinding the interface in two panes. While other options are same like the iPhone app, but I am really surprised about the missing features: Split screen selfie and video recording. I hope they add it to the app in future updates.
