Facebook is targeting the remaining Messenger holdouts, and they're furious

The critics are not liking this one.
 By 
Kellen Beck
 on 
Facebook is targeting the remaining Messenger holdouts, and they're furious
Icon of Facebook, WhatsApp and Messenger (Facebook's proprietary messaging app) alongside other social media apps on a Samsung Galaxy smartphone's touchscreen. Credit: Getty Images

When Facebook first started pushing its users to use Messenger, the responses weren't very positive. Many people weren't a fan of needing to use two apps instead of one to use all the features of Facebook, so some Android users turned to the mobile web application where they could browse their news feed and message people in one place.

Now, Facebook is planning on removing messaging from its mobile web app, forcing Android users to download Messenger if they want to chat with Facebook friends. Many of those users are not happy about it.

If you try to open up Facebook's messaging on your Android's mobile browser, you'll likely see a pop-up informing you that your conversations will only be available on the Messenger app. The page then quickly redirects you to the Messenger page on the Google Play Store.


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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

If people were mad that the Facebook app couldn't do messaging anymore, of course people are mad that their workaround doesn't work anymore.


Some Android users took to the Messenger reviews to voice their disdain for the separation of Facebook and messaging, leaving angry write-ups along with one-star and two-star ratings.

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable


Some have claimed they don't want to use Messenger because of all the permissions it requires, including your camera, microphone and more. 

So with all this hate, why would Facebook force people to use two apps instead of one? Because Messenger is more than just a way to send text to your Facebook friends. As Facebook has added more features to Messenger, including emoji, mobile payments and bots, the app has become a pillar of Facebook's broader ecosystem strategy. Even M, Facebook's consumer-facing digital assistant, will live in Messenger.

For every person who downloads Messenger, Facebook's broader ecosystem play gets stronger. However, many people hold out from using the app out of concern about their phone's storage, memory and battery, and now those people won't have a choice.

From someone who uses both the Facebook and Messenger app: it's not so bad. Facebook will seamlessly transition from the Facebook app to the Messenger app when you want to send a message. If you're worried about storage, you can set videos to download only over Wi-Fi, and you can make sure images you shoot in the app don't save to your phone. Generally, if you're going to send messages on Facebook anyway, the app is a better experience.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.


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Kellen Beck

Kellen is a science reporter at Mashable, covering space, environmentalism, sustainability, and future tech. Previously, Kellen has covered entertainment, gaming, esports, and consumer tech at Mashable. Follow him on Twitter @Kellenbeck

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