[Gornvix]

What is the number in the orange circle on the top right of the Messenger icon (what does it mean), and how do you get rid of it (are you supposed to do something, what) ?

[hallux]

That's called a "badge", it usually indicates unread messages or notifications for that app. Not all devices have that feature, the device manufacturer adds it through their own methods if they decide to include it as it is not a native part of Android at this time.

As for clearing it? See if you have any unread messages in the app. If you don't, I've heard there's a BadgeProvider service or app that can be stopped and restarted that may fix it also. Some Google apps just may not play nice with it as it's not a native Google feature.

[SpookDroid]

Probably an 'unread' count. Do you have any unread messages? Only way to get rid of it is if your launcher supports either disabling read counters or flat-out doesn't support read counters at all.

[Gornvix]

I've looked in Messenger for unread messages, I can't find them. There are items under the "messages" section, but looking at them by pressing does not change the count. There are three sections in Messenger: "messages", "active" and "groups", there is another number next to "active". I couldn't find "badge" or "BadgeProvider" in the Application Manager.

[SpookDroid]

Oh, FACEBOOK'S Messenger! Have you tried force-closing the app? I also see a 'calls' section on mine. If you log into your Facebook account on a web browser, do you see any unread counters there? Or any messages you might not be seeing on the app?

[Gornvix]

Yes, I tried force closing Messenger. Another thing is that the number switches back and forth between 2 and 9. I've cleared notifications on Facebook itself by clicking or pressing to read them, it seems to make no difference to Messenger.

[SpookDroid]

Last thing I'd try is uninstalling Messenger (or logging out) and re-installing. I really don't know why this would be happening, but those circles are definitely coming from the app, and it's obviously misreporting the unread count. My launcher doesn't do unread count badges so I don't have that issue.

Also, Facebook notifications aren't tied to the Messenger app (only the message notifications on the website).

[Gornvix]

lol, I just uninstalled it and now I can't find it in the app store. Maybe I'm better off without it.

[SpookDroid]

Well, problem is that chat through the Facebook app is no longer possible. Weird that you cannot find the app on the Play Store, though. If you tap on a message on your Facebook app, however, it should prompt you to install the Messenger app and link you to the download page.

[SpookDroid]

lol, I just uninstalled it and now I can't find it in the app store. Maybe I'm better off without it.

Just realized... did you ever check your contact's 'Days'? It's like Instagram's stories or Snapchats whatever-they-are-called-there. They're daily shares your contacts make that only 'live' for 24 hours. Those show up as unread messages sometimes (yes, I know, annoying as hell!) and that also might explain why the number fluctuates.

[Gornvix]

After reinstalling I found out how to get rid of the number. I had to go into Facebook on my computer, click on the messenger icon and then click "Mark All Read". I have no idea if this can be achieved with just a phone.