Facebook to stop in-app messaging, expects users to download Messenger app

MENLO PARK, Calif., April 10 (UPI) -- Facebook is killing its in-app messaging service and has asked users to download a separate Messenger app to continue chatting with their friends.

A Facebook spokesperson confirmed that the messaging service wil be stripped out of the social network's primary Facebook app. The messages button will continue to remain in the Facebook App, but will redirect users to Messenger when tapped.

"Taking messages out of the Facebook app lets us focus on making Messenger even better for everyone rather than working on two messaging experiences," said the social network in a statement.

There are a few exceptions to this change. Low-end Android phones with memory constraints, Windows phones and tablets and the newly-launched Paper app will continue to have messaging services within the Facebook app.

Facebook's new app strategy, which has been aggressive given its new push towards mobile, suggests it sees users turning to individual specialized apps, such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Paper, Snapchat, to communicate with friends.

But users might find it a nuisance to download two Facebook apps instead of one, especially when finding memory for another app could be annoying. But on the flip side Facebook users have been known to use the app for one or two features and ignore the rest. This could provide users with a more focussed, specialized product.

"Once the while process is complete, we expect the core apps to be faster," said a spokesperson for Facebook.

[Fast Company] [The Verge]