14 DAY TRIAL // Just a few days ago, we reported that Facebook was testing an SMS feature in its Messenger app for Android. Now, it seems that this option has finally arrived on the latest Messenger version, and it’s definitely of major importance.
Several years ago, Facebook’s Messenger app for Android took a step forward and implemented SMS. It was indeed a significant move aimed at making Messenger more than just a chat app for Facebook users.
However, the feature didn’t take off as expected, and it was axed in 2013, in part due to the lack of popularity among Android users.
The latest version of Facebook Messenger for Android includes said SMS feature and comes with many more improvements compared to the previous SMS integration. Thus, you can now send stickers, GIFs, voice clips, emojis, and even your location over an SMS to friends.
Users need to set Facebook Messenger as their default SMS app
Messenger for Android now integrates everything users need in order to message their friends, be it on Facebook or via SMS. Still, they need to set Facebook Messenger as their default SMS texting app if they want to benefit from all of its features.
This is done in a few steps: users need to access the Settings menu inside Facebook Messenger app, select SMS section and switch on the bar for Default SMS App. Chat heads and SMS messages get different colors inside the app, chat heads remain blue while SMS messages get the purple color.
Facebook claims that SMS messages will be sent through the carrier and won’t be transmitted through the social network. The feature is only available on Android for now, and updates have already started rolling out.
Through this move, Facebook tries to challenge Google's Hangouts for Android which is also available on iOS. SMS integration hasn't been made available on Messenger for iOS yet, but users on iOS are able to receive SMS messages sent from Android devices.
Facebook aims at providing users with all the channels they need for messaging friends, without users having to exit Facebook Messenger.
