Social media platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives, allowing us to connect with friends and acquaintances, both near and far. Facebook, one of the most popular social networking sites, provides various features, including Facebook Messenger, which enables real-time communication.
However, it can be confusing and even unsettling when a former Facebook friend appears as active on Messenger, even though they are no longer part of your friends list.
In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this phenomenon and shed light on how Facebook Messenger’s features operate. Let’s get started!
Why Former Facebook Friend Shows Active on Messenger When They isn’t a Facebook Friend?
Facebook Messenger is a popular messaging app that allows users to communicate with their friends and family members. However, sometimes users may notice that a former Facebook friend shows up as active on Messenger, even though they are no longer friends on Facebook.
There are a few reasons why this might happen. Before we delve into the reasons for this peculiar occurrence, it’s essential to understand how Facebook and Messenger work together.
Facebook: Facebook is a social networking platform that allows users to create profiles, connect with friends and family, share updates, photos, and videos, and engage with various features such as groups, pages, and events. One of its key functions is the friends list, where users can connect with other Facebook users by sending or accepting friend requests.
Messenger: Facebook Messenger is a messaging application linked to the Facebook platform. It enables users to send and receive messages, make voice and video calls, and share media files with their friends and contacts on Facebook. Messenger can be accessed both through the Facebook website and as a standalone mobile app.
Messenger Connection
When a user is connected to Facebook Messenger, they are not required to have the person they are chatting with on their Facebook friends list. Messenger allows users to communicate with individuals who they may not be friends with on Facebook itself.
This means that even if someone unfriends you on Facebook, they can still be active on Messenger and appear as active or online when using the app.
Messenger Status
The active or online status on Messenger indicates when a user is currently using the application. This status is determined by the user’s activity within Messenger and may not necessarily reflect their Facebook activity.
Therefore, even if a former Facebook friend has unfriended you on the platform, they can still show as active on Messenger if they are using the messaging app.
Privacy Settings
Facebook provides users with a variety of privacy settings and options, allowing them to control who can see their online status and other information. Some users may choose to limit the visibility of their active status to a select group of friends or contacts.
As a result, even if they are no longer your Facebook friend, they may remain active on Messenger and appear as such if they have not restricted the visibility of their online status.
Cached Data
Facebook Messenger, like many other apps, may occasionally display cached data or outdated information. In some cases, even after someone has unfriended you on Facebook, their active status may continue to show as active on Messenger. This could be due to temporary glitches, delays in updating status information, or cached data stored on your device.
Active Chats
If you have an active chat or conversation with a former Facebook friend on Messenger, their status will still appear as active or online while they are using the app, regardless of your current Facebook friend status. This is because Messenger prioritizes the real-time status of active conversations.
Settings on Their End
A former Facebook friend may choose not to unfriend you on Messenger, and they may decide to maintain the communication channel through the messaging app while unfriending you on the main Facebook platform. In such cases, they would still appear as active on Messenger because the chat is ongoing.
How to Handle the Situation?
Encountering a former Facebook friend appearing as active on Messenger can be puzzling or even uncomfortable, but there are ways to manage the situation:
Respect Privacy Choices
Just as you have control over your privacy settings on social media, others have the same privilege. If someone chooses to maintain communication with you on Messenger while unfriending you on Facebook, respect their decision and privacy choices.
Understand Messenger Status
Keep in mind that the active status on Messenger is solely related to the use of the messaging app and may not reflect a person’s Facebook activity. It is not an indication of their interest in or connection with you.
Reach Out if Necessary
If you wish to clarify the situation or have concerns, you can send a polite message through Messenger to inquire about the status of your friendship or the reason behind their unfriending. However, be respectful and understanding of their response or decision.
Maintain Your Own Privacy
Consider reviewing and adjusting your own privacy settings on Facebook and Messenger to control who can see your online status and other information. It’s important to have the level of privacy that you are comfortable with.
Let Go if Needed
If the person has unfriended you for a reason and you are unable to resolve the issue, it may be best to accept their decision and move on. Social media friendships can change, and sometimes it’s necessary to let go of connections that are no longer meaningful.
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