The Facebook Messenger app employs the use of various symbols and icons as an efficient way of displaying the status of messages. Each icon, including the check mark, has a distinct meaning that shows you the current state of your message.
Single Grey Check Mark
This symbol appears next to your message on Messenger to indicate that your message has been sent. It means that the message has successfully left your device and is now in transit to the recipient’s device. However, it does not indicate that the message has been delivered or read. The message can only be sent if you’re connected to the internet. If you’re offline, you’ll see an exclamation mark icon which indicates an error in sending the message.
Single Blue Check Mark
When the check mark turns from grey to blue, this means your message has been delivered to the recipient’s Messenger app. The message has reached the receiver’s device, but the user hasn’t opened the message or the application yet.
Double Blue Check Marks
This is the stage beyond the single blue check mark. Once the recipient opens your message, the blue check mark becomes double. It means the receiver has read your message or seen any attachment you sent.
Interpreting Check Marks in Group Chats
Group chats complicate the interpretation of check marks slightly due to the multiple recipients. A single grey check mark still indicates the message sent status. When the majority of group members have received the message, the check mark turns blue. For all members of the group to have read the message, the check mark becomes double.
Check Mark Off Feature
Facebook Messenger also allows users the option to disable read receipts. If a contact has turned off this feature, then irrespective of whether they have read the message or not, the status will remain at the single blue check mark stage.
Understanding these icons and their meanings in Facebook Messenger enhances your messaging experience and helps you keep track of your conversation status. Knowing the significance of the check mark symbol, you can now easily ascertain if your message was sent, delivered or read by the recipient.