Over the coming few days, Facebook will be removing all messaging features from its apps for the iPhone and Android.
The move will force all Facebook users to download and use the standalone Facebook Messenger app to communicate with their friends.
"In the next few days, we're continuing to notify more people that if they want to send and receive Facebook messages, they'll need to download the Messenger app," a Facebook representative wrote to TechCrunch.
Some Facebook users have received email notification from the company.
"We wanted to let you know that messages are moving out of the Facebook app to our Messenger app, a free app that's faster and more reliable for everyday messaging. Messenger also includes: new ways to send photos and videos, voice calls, stickers, group conversations and more," the email reads.
The social network also states that it will send reminders and instructions via Facebook app.
"You'll still see new message notifications in the Facebook app, and it'll be easy to switch between Facebook and Messenger," it added.
Facebook will not be posting an official blog post to detail the changes that will be made, as the company seeks to avoid substantial press attention regarding the planned push for Messenger. Facebook will instead be sending notifications directly to its users through an e-mail that explains the changes.
Facebook is making the change as it moves forward with its goal to direct development efforts to improving Messenger into the "best mobile messaging experience." Separating Messenger from Facebook will also bypass any confusion that may be caused by having two forms of Facebook messaging available to users.
Before the implementation of the change, users can chat on the iPhone or Android version of Facebook by accessing the Messages tab. If the user had Messenger installed, the Messages tab became a notification center that would open Messenger then accessed.
Once the change begins to roll out, users will receive a few reminders to acquire the Messenger app. After a time, messaging in the Facebook app will no longer function.
Being forced to download the Messenger app to complete the functionalities of Facebook may not sit well with some users, as then two different Facebook apps will be managed by the users. In addition, the "Chat Heads" feature of messaging in the main Facebook app allows users to chat with several friends while still being able to see the News Feed.
However, Facebook believes that the changes will soon be accepted by the social network's users, since the Messenger app allows people to send more pictures, videos, audio recordings, group messages, and stickers, which should translate to a better messaging experience.
According to Facebook, there are over 200 million users and 12 billion messages sent in Messenger daily. This change will allow the company to drop maintenance on the version within the main app and focus on the standalone Messenger.
Facebook first implemented the change in Europe back in April with "positive results." Facebook users on mobile internet, Windows Phone, feature phone, Paper, iPad and desktop computers will not be affected by the change for now.
