Facebook to cut messaging from main mobile app in bid to push Messenger

By Trevor Mogg Published July 29, 2014

Facebook’s standalone Messenger app for iOS and Android has been available for some time now, though users have also long been able to send instant messages to their Facebook friends from within the main Facebook mobile app.

That, however, is all set to change, as the social networking giant informed TechCrunch Monday that “over the next few days” it’s going to do away with messaging from within the Facebook app in a final push to get users to download its standalone alternative.

Recommended Videos

Having tested the changes in Europe over the last few months, Facebook is evidently now happy to flick the switch globally, finally killing off the messaging functionality within its main app.

However, according to TechCrunch, users on mobile web, iPad, feature phones, Windows Phone, and desktop can continue to send messages from within the main Facebook app until further notice.

The company is issuing notifications to its users about the changes, and plans to send out emails, too, pointing them to its Messenger app.

No more ‘confusion’

In a statement, Facebook said its 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.”

Eliminating messaging from its main app in order to build a standalone one clearly doesn’t sit well with some Facebook users, if comments in the iOS and Google Play app stores are anything to go by. Facebook, however, says engagement is much higher with Messenger, which in its view means users are having a better experience compared to when they use the main app for messaging.

Expanding app family

Mark Zuckerberg has made no secret of his intention to expand Facebook’s family of apps, with mobile helping to generate huge ad-related revenue for the company.

Last month, Facebook hired David Marcus to take charge of messaging products. It’s expected that the former PayPal president will focus mainly on developing Messenger while helping to build and promote new mobile messaging services.

Facebook recently spent $19 billion on the acquisition of mobile messaging service WhatsApp, and more recently launched its Snapchat-like app, Slingshot.

[Facebook Messenger can be downloaded from the iTunes app store and Google Play]

Contributing Editor

Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…

Topics

Phones

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is genuinely cool, but I’d pay up for the Z Fold 8 Ultra

The Ultra costs $200 more than the Fold 8, and I’m ready to pay the premium.

Computer, Electronics, Tablet Computer

Samsung did something genuinely interesting at Galaxy Unpacked 2026. For the first time in the history of its Galaxy Z foldable lineup, it split the book-style foldable line into two entirely different devices. Whether it had something to do with Apple’s purported iPhone Ultra is a conversation for another time, but for now, anyone visiting a Samsung experience center has two Fold phones to choose from: the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The Fold 8 is wider, lighter in hand, and built specifically for one-hand use on the cover screen and content consumption on the inner screen. The Fold 8 Ultra, on the other hand, carries forward the tall and thin design. After spending some hands-on time with both devices, I’ve come to a conclusion.

Phones

EU’s Starlink alternative is finally moving beyond the planning stage

IRIS² will provide secure satellite connectivity for European defence, security, and emergency services

IRIS2 satellite constellation

While SpaceX is trying to take on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile with its own mobile network, the European Union is moving in a very different direction. It wants a satellite network it can control itself.

The European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium have now signed an implementation agreement for IRIS², the EU’s secure satellite connectivity programme. The deal adds another 66 satellites to the project, taking the planned constellation to 348 spacecraft in total. Of those, 330 will operate in low Earth orbit and 18 in medium Earth orbit. First launches are targeted for 2029.

Phones

My next phone has to earn its retirement

Phones are being built to last seven years, even as the industry keeps trying to restart the upgrade conversation every twelve months

Pixel Studio on the Google Pixel 9.

My next phone is going to have to give me a reason to replace it.

So far, my Pixel 8a is still a champ. It does everything I need, it still feels fast, and nothing about using it day to day makes me think I should be shopping for a replacement. Newer phones have arrived with faster chips, brighter screens, better cameras, and increasingly ambitious AI features, yet none of them has made the phone in my pocket feel particularly old.