These instructions assume you have Messenger for iOS or Messenger for Android installed on your mobile device.
Use Messenger With a Deactivated Facebook Account
Before December 2019, you only needed a phone number to create a Facebook Messenger account. Now, you need a Facebook account, but it doesn’t have to be active. If you previously deactivated your Facebook account, you can use it to create a Messenger account without reactivating it first. All you need to do is log into Messenger using your deactivated account’s credentials and click or tap Log in.
Use Messenger Without a Facebook Account
If you had a Facebook account that you permanently deleted, or you never had a Facebook account before, you can create a brand new one and then deactivate it after setting up Messenger.
Open the Messenger app and tap Create New Account. Note A pop-up box might appear asking to use information from Facebook. com to sign in. Tap Continue. A browser window opens, prompting you to create a new Facebook account. Fill out the fields and tap Next on each tab until you get to the final one and tap Sign Up. Note Make sure to use the first and last name you want to appear in your Messenger account. You’re to verify your account with a code sent by text or email. Creating a Facebook account also creates a Messenger account, which you can start using immediately. Note Messenger automatically displays your Facebook profile picture next to your name. Unfortunately, you can’t upload or change your profile picture within Messenger—you have to do it through your Facebook account via the website or the mobile app. Optionally deactivate your Facebook account and continue to use Messenger just like you would if your Facebook account was still active. Note Make sure you deactivate—not delete—your Facebook account. If you delete your account, it also deletes your Messenger account and all of your messages. A deactivated Facebook account is the absolute minimum you must have to use Messenger.
