Line is Japan’s largest social network and a worthwhile competitor for apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. While the Asian market has embraced Line with open arms, the west has been a little slower to warm up to this social network and communication utility. But how exactly do you use the app to its full potential?
The following article will cover exactly how to use Line in addition to highlighting its newest features and innovations.
Tips for using Line with new 2022 features
Installing Line
The first thing you’ll want to do is install the app. You can do this through the link in the introduction. Hitting the link will take you directly to Line’s download page on our website. Once you’ve got the app in your downloads, simply hit the downloaded file to install Line to your phone. You can also use the desktop utility for macOS and Windows 10/ 11.
Once you’ve installed the app, you’ll need to sign up and log in, provided that you’re a new user. All you need to do is tap on Sign Up, and you’ll be prompted to enter your phone number and region of residence. The app will then verify your phone number with an OTP, and then you’ll be presented with the Line’s terms of service. You don’t need to accept these, but if you don’t, you won’t be able to use the app.
Setting your profile
Once you’ve gone through all the motions of the installation and initial setup, you can begin to personalize the app by setting up your user profile. The first step to this end is to select a profile picture. This is the image people will see when you message them. Therefore, it’s suggested that the image be of your face, and imperative that the image not be lewd or distasteful. A profile picture isn’t essential; you can leave yours blank. However, it does make it easier for people to see who they’re talking to.
Next, you’ll need to decide whether to allow Line to automatically add friends to your profile based on your contacts list. If you don’t want this and you’d prefer to add contacts manually as you go, click Deny. You’ll also now be able to choose whether people can add you to their in-app contacts the same way.
The finer points
Like any other decent communication utility, Line lets you adjust the way other users see your profile. For instance, if you tap on More toward the bottom of the interface and then hit the little Settings icon, you’ll see a list of options that you can mess with. If you want to change your profile, head to Edit profile.
Here, you’ll be able to change your profile picture, if, at any point, you’d like to do so. You can also change the name that people see when they click on your profile, and you can set a cover image to further set your profile apart from the crowd. If you’d like to set a status message, such as Do Not Disturb or Available, you can do this from the Edit profile interface too.
Start a chat
This is an incredibly easy step. All you need to do is navigate to the bottom of the screen and hit Chats. This is where you’ll find all of your conversations. If you want to start a new chat, you need to head to the top of the screen and click on the plus icon. From here, you’ll be able to select a contact and begin chatting.
Using the new features
Line wouldn’t be such a competitive and capable social media platform if it didn’t have a few special features up its sleeves. We’ll review a few of the most compelling below.
Line has an enviable collection of stickers that come standard with the app. In fact, Line was one of the first such platforms to let users share stickers. Other platforms have imitated Line in this regard and come close, but no app has a bigger or more diverse sticker library than Line. If you’re artistically inclined, you can even make your own sticker pack. Stickers help users express their individuality and no app does it better than Line.
Change up Line’s look and playing games
Customization isn’t a new thing where communication apps are concerned. However, unlike most alternatives, Line has a built-in library of themes that users are able to download to truly give their Line experience a unique look. You can also change the background of your chats by heading to the top of the chat interface and hitting the Settings option, followed by Chat wallpaper.
How many communication utilities can boast a selection of games that users can download? Line can. You’ll be redirected to Google Play or the App Store should you find something that looks worthwhile, but it’s an interesting inclusion in the app interface nonetheless. These games are, however, exclusive to Line, and many of them feature Line’s mascots as the main protagonists.
