Facebook is slowly taking over mobile phones as their Messenger app now supports SMS in an effort to let users just use their software instead of other third-party ones or the stock apps.
For the billions of users that rely on the app to communicate with their Facebook friends, Messenger will make it easier to text non-Facebook contacts as well. They will only have to use one app instead of having to switch between their normal SMS messaging app and Facebook's.
It can be a welcome addition for those who prefer an all-in-one solution. The messaging app from the social network giant can now be used to send photos, voice clips, videos, GIFs and SMS.
Messenger was initially hated by most people because Facebook separated the chatting feature of their mobile app into the standalone application. After several months, users were forced into installing the app and just accept that they have no control over what Zuckerberg wants.
It is not the first time that Facebook is trying the new feature. It was already installed several years ago but it not become a huge hit.
Facebook started the SMS feature for Messenger in 2012 but dropped it again on 2013, TechCrunch has learned. The social network giant started testing it again in February 2016.
Users who want to make use of the new SMS feature for Facebook's messaging app can turn it on under settings. They will have the choice of using the app as the default application for sending and receiving SMS messages.
If Messenger does not do the trick with regards to the SMS feature, users can revert back to their previous app, Android Police reported. Low-end smartphones might benefit from the new feature as they would only have to use one app instead of two which may reduce their consumption of RAM and battery juice.
It will also eliminate the need to switch between several messaging apps. However, what most people want is a universal messaging app that would combine Facebook, Twitter conversations, Viber, Kik, SMS and more.
Facebook users can try out the new SMS feature of Messenger by turning it on in the settings portion of the app. Those who do not have the app yet can download it on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.