Facebook Move All Messaging to Separate App

Facebook have completely separated their messaging service from the main app, forcing iOS and Android users to make the switch.

They already rolled this out in certain European countries, and in the coming weeks they will be showing a reminder for people who have yet to make the change.

Once Facebook complete the transition, users will only be able access their messages via Messenger, which promises to be “20% faster.”

Messenger is a standalone app where users can message, share videos via a selfie button, group chat and send stickers.

Facebook’s movement into the world of stickers follows Chinese messaging apps like Line, WeChat and Momo – who generate huge revenue from selling sticker packs.

Around 20% of Line’s $338m revenue in 2013 came from selling stickers.

Facebook said:

“In the next few days, we’re continuing to notify more people that if they want to send and receive Facebook messages, they’ll need to download the Messenger app.

“As we’ve said, our goal is to focus development efforts on making Messenger the best mobile messaging experience possible and avoid the confusion of having separate Facebook mobile messaging experiences.”

In Facebook’s second quarter earnings call, Mark Zuckerberg said that payments and Messenger would eventually “overlap”, when asked about their hiring of PayPal President David Marcus.

Earlier in the year, Facebook released Snapchat-style Slingshot, and news-based feed app Paper.

Visit Messenger here.