Facebook Messenger update adds ‘silent replies’ – how to send them
FACEBOOK Messenger has added a handy new way to contact your pals in secret.
"Silent replies" are messages that you can send without a notification.
It means the message drops into your chat without an alert popping up on the recipient's phone or PC.
It's one of a handful of texting tools you can activate using new keyboard shortcuts rolling out to Messenger users worldwide.
Meta, the company that owns Facebook, announced the new "command system" in a on Tuesday.
The firm described the tool as a way to "help supercharge your messaging efficiency.";
"Whether you want to notify everyone in a chat of an important announcement or pay a friend back for lunch ... Messenger’s new shortcuts will get you there in the shortest number of keystrokes."
Messenger shortcuts are combinations of keys that provide quick access to a particular function.
Read more about tech
For instance, you're probably aware that you can type the @ key followed by someone's name to tag them in a chat.
New shortcuts expand those available on Messenger to three, allowing you to tag everyone in a chat or send silent replies.
When you start a message with @everyone, all participants in the chat will be notified.
According to Meta, the prompt is "perfect for group reminders, impromptu get-togethers or when you need to... crowdsource an answer to a time-sensitive question."
Most read in News Tech
It ensures that your message gets maximum exposure, and nobody misses out.
Next up is silent replies, which you activate with the shortcut /silent.
Meta said: "Sending a message with /silent removes the anxiety of interrupting someone with a non-urgent pop-up notification or disturbing them during their off-hours.
"Now, you can share those late-night epiphanies in the moment without disturbing the peace, and your friends can read your message at their leisure."
Notify-all and silent replies are available now on iOS and Android.
Meta said that it is working on other shortcuts that are "coming soon" to Messenger.
One, /pay, allows you to quickly sent or request money from your friends. It will only be available in the U.S. to start with.
Another coming exclusively to iOS lets you quickly send a GIF reaction. The shortcut is /gif.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Read More on The Sun
And finally, you'll be able to quickly type out the old-school text-based tableflip “(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻” and shrug “¯\_(ツ)_/¯” emoticons.
They'll be available through the shortcuts /shrug & /tableflip.
- Read all the latest Phones & Gadgets news
- Keep up-to-date on Apple stories
- Get the latest on Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram
Best Phone and Gadget tips and hacks
Looking for tips and hacks for your phone? Want to find those secret features within social media apps? We have you covered...
- How to get your deleted Instagram photos back
- How to track someone on Google Maps
- How can I increase my Snapchat score?
- How can I change my Facebook password?
- How can I do a duet on TikTok?
- Here's how to see if your Gmail has been hacked
- How can I change my Amazon Alexa voice in seconds?
- What is dating app Bumble?
- How can I test my broadband internet speed?
- Here's how to find your Sky TV remote in SECONDS
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at [email protected]