To turn on Messenger chat heads on a supported Galaxy phone, select Bubbles in the phone’s Floating notifications settings, then open Messenger’s Menu > Settings and turn on Chat heads. On Pixel phones, enable Android’s conversation bubbles and allow them for Messenger when your installed version supports that interface.
The short version
- Galaxy setup: Select Bubbles in your phone’s floating notification settings, then enable Messenger’s Chat heads switch.
- Pixel setup: Turn on Allow apps to show bubbles and allow supported Messenger conversations to bubble.
- Show a conversation: Receive a new message, then use the notification’s bubble control when offered.
- Floating app alternatives: Samsung’s Smart pop-up view and Pixel’s Android 17 app bubbles can open Messenger in a floating window when supported.
| Control or option | Where it applies | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Messenger’s Chat heads switch | Galaxy phones with that interface | Enables floating conversations |
| Samsung Floating notifications | Supported Galaxy models and software | Sets the system option to Bubbles |
| Allow apps to show bubbles | Pixel phones supporting conversation bubbles | Allows bubbles at the system level |
| Messenger’s app bubble settings | Pixel with a Messenger version exposing these controls | Allows all or selected conversations |
| An existing bubble’s Manage menu | Android with a compatible Messenger conversation bubble | Changes which conversations can bubble |
| Bubble conversation | Supported Messenger notifications offering this action | Creates a bubble from a notification |
| Notification bubble icon | Pixel with a compatible Messenger notification | Opens a conversation bubble directly |
| Important conversation setting | Compatible Pixel conversation notifications | Creates a bubble when bubble settings are enabled |
| Smart pop-up view | Supported Galaxy phones listing Messenger under Included apps | Opens an app pop-up window |
| Messenger icon’s Bubble action | Pixel phones running Android 17, when Messenger supports app bubbles | Opens the whole app in a bubble |
| Pixel Fold taskbar gesture | Pixel Fold running Android 17, when Messenger supports app bubbles | Creates an app bubble by dragging |
| Messenger installation | Compatible Android devices with Google Play | Installs Messenger before setup |
Enable floating notifications on Samsung Galaxy
On a supported Galaxy phone, open Settings > Notifications > Advanced settings > Floating notifications. Select Bubbles to enable the system portion of Samsung’s Messenger setup. Next, turn on the separate switch inside Messenger.
Turn on Chat heads inside Messenger
Open Messenger and tap Menu, shown as three horizontal lines. Tap Settings, shown as a gear icon, then turn on Chat heads. If a phone settings prompt appears, follow it to continue setup.
Receive a new Messenger message to display the floating conversation. Samsung describes these steps for Galaxy phones with the Chat heads interface and names One UI 3 through 6. If your Messenger interface differs, you can use Samsung’s Smart pop-up view alternative below when your phone supports it and lists Messenger among the included apps.
Allow conversation bubbles on Pixel
On a Pixel phone that supports conversation bubbles, open Settings > Notifications > Bubbles. Turn on Allow apps to show bubbles, then allow bubbles for Messenger using the app settings below. Messenger must support conversation bubbles for these controls to work.
Choose which Messenger conversations can bubble
For a compatible Messenger version on Pixel, open Settings > Apps > See all apps > Messenger > Notifications > Additional settings in the app > Bubbles. Select All conversations can bubble, or select Selected conversations can bubble to limit the feature. This route applies only when your installed Messenger version exposes Bubbles there.
If you already have a conversation bubble on Android with a compatible Messenger implementation, you can also change the settings from that bubble. Open it, tap Manage, then open Bubbles settings > Messenger. Select All conversations can bubble, or select Selected conversations can bubble, tap a person, and turn on Bubble.
If Messenger does not expose the app settings above, check whether its notifications offer either bubble control described below. For a floating window instead, use the Galaxy alternative on a supported phone or the app bubble option on a Pixel running Android 17.
Open a bubble from a new message
Once bubble settings are enabled, receive a Messenger notification and swipe down from the top of the screen. Under Conversations, touch and hold the Messenger notification, then tap Bubble conversation if offered. This action applies to supported conversation notifications.
On Pixel, a compatible Messenger notification can also show a small bubble icon. After enabling Allow apps to show bubbles, tap that icon to open the conversation bubble. If neither notification control appears, use a floating app option below when your phone meets its requirements.
Use a floating Messenger window on Galaxy
On a supported Galaxy phone, open Settings > Notifications > Advanced settings > Floating notifications > Smart pop-up view > Included apps. Turn on Messenger if it is listed among the apps supporting Multi window.
Messenger’s next notification appears as an icon that opens a floating window. This option opens the app in a pop-up window rather than creating Messenger’s individual contact chat heads.
Open Messenger as an app bubble on Pixel
On a Pixel phone running Android 17, including Pixel Fold, touch and hold the Messenger icon on the home screen or all apps screen. If the menu offers Bubble, tap it to open Messenger in a floating window. Google’s developer guidance says app bubbles work only with apps that support resizable multi-window use. This opens the whole app and does not enable automatic contact-specific chat heads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should you get Messenger if it is not installed?
On a compatible Android device, open Meta Platforms, Inc.’s Messenger listing on Google Play and select Install. Installation alone does not enable chat heads, so complete the setup that applies to your phone afterward.
What happens if you mark a Messenger conversation Important?
On Pixel with a compatible Messenger conversation notification, swipe down, touch and hold the notification under Conversations, and select Important. Google says this also creates a conversation bubble when bubble settings are enabled. It also allows that conversation’s notifications through Do Not Disturb.
Can you create a Messenger app bubble from the Pixel Fold taskbar?
Yes, if your installed Messenger supports Android 17 app bubbles. On Pixel Fold running Android 17, slowly swipe up from the bottom to reveal the taskbar. Touch and hold Messenger in the taskbar, drag its icon to the left or right side of the screen, and release. This opens the whole app in a floating window rather than enabling automatic conversation chat heads.
Do Pixel conversation bubbles require a particular Android version?
Google says some of its Pixel conversation-bubble instructions require Android 11 or later. Your installed Messenger version must also support the relevant conversation-bubble controls.