Forget Facebook Messenger for OSX, Use Apple Messages
Facebook released the native Messenger app for Windows (PR) last March 2012, although they promised to come up with a Mac version, theres still no sign of the Messenger App on the App Store after 5 months.
Although you can use your browser to send messages to your FB friends, there’s nothing that can beat the convenience of having a dedicated app which fires up when your computer starts. For now, Mac users can use third party client such as ICQ, Yahoo Messenger, Adium, Trillian and others, but Apple has something better – The Messages App.
The Messages App introduced
in Mountain Lion replaces iChat and is deeply integrated in the OS. The beauty of it is that you don’t have to enter your user details every time. When you set an email, your Mac automatically detects if it have IM capabilities like Google Talk for Gmail accounts, and YM for Yahoo emails. You just run the Messenger App and allow it to use the IM service of your email provider.
Apple already announced deep integration with Facebook in Montain Lion, but not until fall of 2012. For now, if you want to add facebook to the Messages App you have to do it manually using Jabber. Simply open Messages Settings, on the Accounts tab click the “+” icon. Enter the following details:
- Account Type: Jabber
- Account name: your FB account name+@chat.facebook.com.
This is not your user email you use when you login to FB. You can see your FB account name by visiting this link. - Password: the password you use when you login with FB.
- Server Options/ Server: chat.facebook.com.
- Server Options/ Port: 5222.
You should have no problem logging into Facebook if you entered your information correctly.
If you see “-” followed by numbers and @chat.facebook.com on your Fasbook Friends list, that’s normal. Your friends name will show in a few minutes. If not make sure that “Show Handles” is not active in “View/Buddy Names” Messages Menu.
