If you are a Facebook user, you probably have noticed that Facebook Messenger has become mandatory for most users. This update is an attempt by Facebook to spread its tendrils as far as possible. You’ve probably been wondering why this change is happening and why you should switch over to Messenger now. Here’s what you need to know. First of all, Messenger is now the default chat app for Facebook. To make it mandatory, simply tap the button to install it.
While Facebook Messenger has been around since 2011, it’s only been recently forced on iOS and Android users. Since August 2014, Facebook has been encouraging users to download the Messenger app and close chat access through the stock Facebook app. Many users chose to use the mobile website instead, which still had a built-in chat. Now, the Facebook mobile app is prompting users to download the Messenger app and warns them that they’ll have no other option soon. However, some people are complaining that the message-blocking Metal browser is blocking the warning messages.
Before this change, users could use Messenger without a Facebook account. Users could also sign up using a phone number, which was convenient for those without a Facebook account. However, Facebook has now made it mandatory to have a Facebook account before using Messenger. While existing users of Messenger without Facebook accounts will be able to use the app after the update, new users will have to create a Facebook account in order to sign up.
