Black Friday Sale! 50% Off All Access

Want to Chat on Facebook? Soon, You'll Need a Second App for That. Users might not be happy about needing another app, but the move could ultimately make Facebook Messenger a much more powerful tool.

By Benjamin Kabin

Entrepreneur+ Black Friday Sale

Our biggest sale — Get unlimited access to Entrepreneur.com at an unbeatable price. Use code SAVE50 at checkout.*

Claim Offer

*Offer only available to new subscribers

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Facebook has begun notifying users in Europe that its messaging feature will disappear from the main mobile Facebook app in a couple of weeks, forcing iOS and Android users to download its Facebook Messenger app.

Although the changes won't occur everywhere, for everyone, all at once, eventually all users who wish to use the messaging service on their mobile devices will have to download the free standalone app, with a few exceptions, The Verge reports.

Related: Why Mark Zuckerberg's $1 Salary Means Nothing

People using cheaper Android devices with limited storage and those using Windows phones and tablets will still be able to send and receive messages in the main app. Users with Paper, Facebook's new magazine-style app, will also be able to use the messaging feature, according to The Verge.

Some users will likely be unhappy about needing a separate app, but the split will allow the company to build out its messaging service to compete with the likes of Skype and Viber.

Related: 4 Things to Know About Facebook's Plan for Total World Domination

For instance, Facebook already offers a free calling service in its messaging app -- something that users who only have the main app can't access.

The separation will also probably mean that the main app will become smaller, making up for the extra MBs taken up by Messenger.

Related: Why Your Facebook Page Is Becoming Less Relevant

"Once the while process is complete, we expect the core apps to be faster," a spokesperson told the Verge.

Facebook recently acquired messaging service WhatsApp for more than $15 billion but will continue to operate it as a completely separate service.

Benjamin Kabin

Journalist

Benjamin Kabin is a Brooklyn-based technology journalist who specializes in security, startups, venture capital and social media.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

'Father Time Always Wins': Warren Buffett, 94, Just Announced Major Changes to His Plan to Give Away His Money

Warren Buffett continued his Thanksgiving tradition with a $1.1 billion donation of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations.

Productivity

Millions of Americans Feel the Winter Blues Every Year — and Lose Motivation Because of It. Use These 6 Tips to Get Your Goals Back on Track.

No one feels happy or productive 100% of the time. Colder weather and shorter days can definitely cause us to be less than our best. If this sounds familiar, you'll want to try these six things to get back on track.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Starting a Business

Calling It Quits on Your Business? Dissolving It Before the Year Ends Could Save You Money — and Time

Not all businesses are meant to last. Some business ideas are just bad, and others were maybe once good but aren't any longer. In such scenarios, entrepreneurs have much to gain from the proper and timely retirement of business entities. Here's why and how you should do it before the end of the year.