Facebook Messenger To Get SMS, Multiple Account Support

Facebook Messenger will soon be able to send SMS messages and support multiple accounts, as Facebook looks to grow its instant messaging service even further.

The social network has been adding more features to the application as it seeks to become a leading over-the-top (OTT) message provider. The new features were first reported by Android Police and confirmed by the company in a statement to Engadget.

Facebook Messenger

“At Messenger we are always trying to create new ways for people to communicate seamlessly with everyone,” a Facebook spokesperson is quoted as saying

“Right now, we’re testing the ability for people to easily bring all their conversations — from SMS and Messenger — to one place. It’s a really simple way to get, see and respond to all your SMS messages in just one app. By choosing to access your SMS messages in Messenger, they’re right alongside all the other enhanced features that Messenger offers.”

“Millions of people share phones with their family and friends. Until now, there hasn’t been an easy way for people to access their individual Messenger accounts from shared devices. To address this, we’ve launched a feature on Android to enable multiple people to log in and use Messenger from a single phone.”

TechWeekEurope has contacted Facebook for further details.

Expanding

Last August, the company revealed Facebook M, a digital assistant that lives within Messenger and is able to use knowledge about the user to provide recommendations and suggestions, including buying items, arrange deliveries, book restaurants, travel arrangements, appointments “and way more”.

Facebook has also revealed that mobile users will be able to call and talk to their friends and contacts using video calling on Messenger, and will also be able to send money to their contacts via the app simply by registering their card details.

There was also the launch of Messenger for Businesses, a new service which will allow companies to interact with their customers via Facebook. The service can also help customers, allowing them to receive updates about online shopping orders and delivery times, as well as being able to ask businesses questions about products or services.

These all form part of the wider launch of Messenger as a Platform, an expansion to Messenger which Facebook hopes will expand its reach outside of the social network and on to other sites.

Are you a Facebook expert? Take our quiz!