Facebook Messenger Day: How To Use The Snapchat Stories Clone

Facebook has been accused of copying Snapchat in the past, and those accusations aren't going to stop with the social network's latest feature. On Thursday, the company rolled out Messenger Day, a clone of Snapchat Stories, in its popular Messenger app.

What is Facebook Messenger Day?

If you've used Snapchat's Story feature then Messenger Day will feel very familiar. It's a temporary visual journal that allows people to document their day with pictures and videos. The content is viewable by friends and connections on the Messenger app, and lasts for just 24 hours before disappearing for good.

The feature makes use of the overhauled camera Facebook introduced to the chat app late last year. Built into the camera is a sizable collection of decorative features to apply to pictures, including frames, stickers, effects and masks.

This isn't the first time Facebook has taken inspiration from Snapchat Stories. The company introduced a similar feature on Instagram, then brought the Stories-style updates to communications app WhatsApp just last month.

How Do I Use Messenger Day?

To start using Messenger Day, make sure your Messenger app is up to date. Once you're sure you're using the most recent version of Messenger, open the app and tap the camera shutter button on the bottom of the screen or swipe down to activate the camera.

Use the camera to snap a picture or record a video (press and hold the shutter button to record). Art and effects can be added by tapping the smiley face icon in the upper right. Scroll through the options and tap the one you want to apply to your photo or video. Text can be added by tapping the "Aa" icon and drawings can be applied by tapping the squiggly line—both located in the upper right-hand area of the screen.

Once you're satisfied with your photo or video, tap the arrow in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. From here, you can add the content directly to your day, save it to your phone's camera roll, or send it to a specific person or group.

Content from conversations with friends and groups can also be added to your day feed. After sending a photo or video to a conversation, the app will present you the option to "add to your day." Tap on that option and you'll be prompted to confirm that you'd like to add the content to your day. Tap add and it'll appear for all to see.

If you want to customize who can view your day instead of sharing it with your entire Messenger contacts list, you can do so by tapping the "more" icon inside your day menu. This will give you the ability limit access to your content. Choose "everyone except" to prevent certain users from seeing it, or "custom" to set who can see your day.

You can also remove content from your day before it expires. Tap the image at the top of your inbox, tap the three dots in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen, and tap delete.