Facebook has recently started allowing sign ups for Messenger with only a phone number instead of a full Facebook account.
So:
- If I sign up to Messenger with only a phone number
- And I have previously used that number as an account recovery mechanism for a full Facebook account
- And that account has since been deactivated (but not deleted)
Will Facebook join the dots and attempt to reactivate my dormant full Facebook account when I try to sign up on Messenger?
Best Answer
Facebook will recognise the number and tell you to either:
If you do this separate phone number sign up, and you search for your own name in the contact search screen, you may be able to find what looks like a full Facebook profile of yourself. Nope, they did not reactivate your full account. They actually seem to create a new Facebook account with your name, phone number, and profile photo all publicly visible - this is presumably their chosen way make you discoverable to people with full Facebook accounts.
Source: Messenger for iOS (UK)