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Facebook Disabling Messaging on Mobile Web; Forces Users to Download Messenger

Facebook Disabling Messaging on Mobile Web; Forces Users to Download Messenger

By Ketan Pratap | Updated: 6 June 2016 11:52 IST

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Highlights

Facebook wants users to switch from the mobile web app to Messenger.
The message is currently showing up only to Android users.
In 2014, Facebook forced main app users to download the Messenger app.

Facebook back in 2014 started forcing users to download its standalone Messenger app to send and receive messages on smartphones, by disabling messaging via the Facebook app. Now, the social platform is doing the same by disabling messaging in its mobile web app.

Several users across the world are reporting about a message that pops-up when they try to check messages on the Facebook mobile web app. It reads, "Your conversations are moving to Messenger."

The message also has a description explaining the users, "Soon you'll only be able to view your messages from Messenger." Some users report that by "soon" Facebook means download it now as even after dismissing the notification and when trying to open any message, the mobile web interface opens up the Google Play listing of Messenger. Notably, this is currently only happening to users on Android.

A Facebook official explained to TechCrunch that the company want to offer "the best possible experience in messaging."

Facebook is of course hoping to increase the user numbers of its Messenger app alongside. This also means that users who were using the mobile web interface to avoid the official Facebook app will have no other option but to download the standalone Messenger app.

As we mentioned, Facebook back in 2014 stopped instant messaging via its main app for Android and iPhone, prompting users to download the company's standalone Messenger app.

To recall, Facebook in April announced that its Messenger voice calling and messaging app had 900 million monthly active users, up from 800 million in January. We may soon see a huge jump in the monthly active users of Messenger app because of removal of the messaging capability from the web app.

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Further reading: Apps, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Facebook Messenger App, Messenger App, Social

Ketan Pratap

Email Ketan

Ketan Pratap is the Editor at Gadgets 360. His primary role - debugging the tech hype, benchmarking the future, and compiling it all into precise news, features or reviews. He has spent over 14 years calling out vaporware and identifying the best tech. He’s your guide for everything from chipsets to smart-home meltdowns. When his own batteries are low, he heads for the hills—literally. He’s someone who prefers a remote mountain pass, appreciating a 12,000-foot view that no VR ...More