How To Use Facebook's New Messenger Rooms Video Chat App

Facebook has released its new Messenger Rooms app, a video chat app aimed at competing against popular platforms such as Zoom, Skype, Teams, Meets and more.

Messenger Rooms is totally free and allows up to 50 people to join in a single video conversation online. The best thing about this is that aside from allowing that many people to join, calls can last for as long as callers want – there's virtually no time limits on call, CNet noted.

The new video chat feature isn't available in all countries as of writing time, however. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said it will start rolling out in a few countries at the start, then will eventually be made available to all peoples around the world.

Calls via Messenger Rooms are initiated via the Facebook Messenger app. Users will be required to create “Rooms” that participants will need to enter to join in the call. Participants can join Rooms without the need to download anything. They can also join Rooms using their smartphones or computers.

Interestingly, those who don't use Facebook or don't have a Facebook account can still be invited to join Rooms, making it perfect for those who prefer to stay away from social media but need to be connected amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

For those who already have access to the new Messenger Rooms video chat app, as well as for those who will get it in the future, here's how to use it:

• First, users will need to launch the Facebook Messenger app.
• Second, users should look for the People tab at the bottom of the screen then tap on it.
• Third, after that, users should create a Room, then select the people they want to invite to join.

Once the Room is created and the invitations sent out, all that a user needs to do is to wait for people to join in. If Room creators want more people to join in, they can either share it in their News Feed, share it to a Group or Event, or send the link to a person who is not on Facebook, as mentioned.

Facebook is looking into introducing features to the video chat app such as camera filters and changeable backgrounds. It is also looking for ways to allow users to create Rooms from Instagram, Portal and WhatsApp.