Facebook Messenger

2024. Facebook Messenger gets HD video calls and AI backgrounds



Facebook Messenger has got new AI features: AI noise reduction, voice filtering, and AI backgrounds for video calls (you can create AI-powered backgrounds by clicking the "Effects" icon in the sidebar during a video call and selecting "Backgrounds"). HD video calls are also now available in Messenger. HD calling is now automatically enabled for Wi-Fi calls and is available as an option for cellular calls. Another new feature is the ability to leave audio or video messages if the other person is unavailable. If someone doesn't answer your call, you can click the new "Record Message" button to send the recording.


2023. Facebook Messenger is finally adding default end-to-end encryption



In a move that feels almost as overdue as a towel in space, Facebook Messenger is flipping the switch on end-to-end encryption as the default for all personal messages and calls, which is, frankly, quite a big deal for anyone who’s fond of a little privacy in the wild digital universe. Messenger originally toyed with this feature back in 2016, but only for those who could be bothered to opt in. Fast forward to today, after some thoroughly tested tinkering, Meta (the great and mysterious entity behind it all) is ready to roll this out to everyone, ensuring that your conversations—whether typed or uttered—are tucked safely out of sight, even from Meta itself. But don't get too cozy with large group chats just yet, as conversations with more than two people will have to wait their turn for this extra bit of cosmic privacy.


2021. Facebook Messenger Adds Encryption for Audio and Video Calls



Facebook Messenger has expanded its E2EE encryption option to audio and video calls. E2EE (End-to-end encryption) is end-to-end encryption, meaning only users participating in the conversation have access to messages. This encryption has been available in Messenger for text chats since 2016. The company faced pressure from US law enforcement agencies not to encrypt calls. However, call encryption has gradually become the standard and is already available in the company's other messenger, WhatsApp, so progress has not been stopped. However, there is one detail: encryption will not work until both users tick the appropriate box in the settings. Encryption will not be enabled automatically for everyone.


2020. Facebook launched app for managing business accounts on Instagram and Messenger



Facebook has launched the Facebook Business Suite app, which allows businesses to manage their Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger business accounts from a single interface. With the Business Suite, businesses can also receive messages, notifications, and alerts from all three platforms in a single inbox, and publish and schedule content or ads across Facebook and Instagram simultaneously. The app also features analytics, allowing you to see which content is best suited for each app. This app is ideal for small businesses that don't always have large social media teams.


2020. Facebook Messenger now allows you to chat on the site without account



Facebook has launched an updated Messenger chat plugin for businesses. It allows businesses to communicate directly with customers from their website. Unlike the previous version of the plugin, customers will be able to chat with company representatives without logging into their Facebook account. Instead, a "Continue as Guest" option will be available. Businesses will still have access to all chat management tools, regardless of whether customers are logged into their Facebook profile. Additionally, it will be easier for developers to integrate Messenger chat into their websites.


2020. Facebook Messenger now lets to switch between personal and business accounts



Facebook Messenger has added the ability to switch between personal and business accounts. This will allow entrepreneurs to respond to customer messages more quickly, the company explained. Previously, entrepreneurs had to switch to the Page Manager business account management app to respond to customer messages on behalf of the company. The new feature has already appeared in the apps on iOS devices and will be coming to Android in the next few weeks.


2020. Facebook announces Zoom-like clone with Messenger Rooms



Facebook comes for Zoom with a new service - Messenger Rooms - a tile-view video chat experience that can hold up to 50 participants. You do not need a Facebook account to join a Messenger Room. There will be no time limits on calls. Messenger Rooms privacy protections include the ability to control who sees your room, and can lock or unlock it. If it's unlocked, anyone with the link can join and share the room with others. But the room creator has to be present to start the call. Messenger Rooms arrives as some people are looking for an alternative to Zoom, which has faced a number of security and privacy issues in the past two months.


2016. Facebook Messenger gets group video calling


Facebook Messenger just added group video calling. The chat app now allows groups of up to six users to make video calls directly from their messages. The feature, available now to anyone with the latest version of the app. Starting a group call works the same way as it does for one-to-one video calls in the app: tapping the camera icon in the top right corner while in a chat will begin the video call. Facebook has limited the calls to groups of six, though up to 50 other participants to join in without video once the limit is reached. Recall that Messenger's bro WhatsApp added only one-to-one video calling last month.


2016. Facebook Messenger adds end-to-end encryption



Facebook Messenger chats can now be secure with the help of new feature - "secret conversations". Once you have enabled Secret Conversations, Messenger will encrypt conversations, preventing any unauthorized party from decoding your chats.  In addition to texts and photos, Facebook has put the encryption layer on stickers as well, but videos and GIFs are not included. Furthermore, the feature doesn't work for group chats, and it needs to be turned on for each individual conversation.  Facebook is also offering users Snapchat-like ability to have their messages self-destruct after a specified duration. To get these features, you need to ensure Messenger app is updated on your Android phone or iPhone. There's no word on what happens to Windows Phone (or Windows 10 Mobile, as they like to call it now) users.


2016. Facebook Messenger adds group calls



Facebook Messenger users now can start a group VoIP audio call from any group chat. Just tap the Phone icon, select which of the group chat members you want included and they’ll all receive a Messenger call simultaneously. If you miss the initial call but it’s still in progress, you can tap the Phone icon in the group chat to join the call. At any time you can see who’s on the call and send another ping to anyone who hasn’t joined. The maximum number of participants in a call - 50.


2015. Facebook Messenger gets free video calls


Facebook Messenger has launched free VOIP video calling over cellular and wifi connections on iOS and Android in the U.S., Canada, UK, and 15 other countries. Facebook’s goal is to connect people face to face no matter where they are or what mobile connection they have. With Messenger, someone on a new iPhone with strong LTE in San Francisco could video chat with someone on a low-end Android with a few bars of 3G in Nigeria. Facebook first introduced desktop video calling in partnership with Skype in 2011, but eventually built its own video call infrastructure. Bringing it to mobile could Messenger a serious competitor to iOS-only FaceTime, clunky Skype, and less-ubiquitous Google Hangouts.