Facebook may be planning a huge change for WhatsApp and Messenger users

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Tackling the problem of too many messaging apps

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Ink Drop)

Facebook may soon allow users of WhatsApp and Messenger to chat directly with one another, from within their respective apps.

Few people would disagree that there are probably too many messaging apps and services out there. While choice is undeniably a great thing, it can be annoying to have to install a specific app simply because just one of your friends is using.

The problem isn't just a matter of there being a large number of companies producing messaging apps, individual companies are also to blame. The likes of Facebook and Google have multiple messaging options to choose from, but Facebook is looking to make life easier for users of Messenger and WhatsApp.

The fact that Facebook owns not only Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, but also Instagram – all of which can be used for sending and receiving messages – means that managing communication across the three platforms can be a pain. It has long been hoped that Facebook might see fit to integrate each of the messaging services into each other, and it seems that some progress is being made.

While the Instagram app currently advises people to use Facebook Messenger for chats, references to WhatsApp messages have been spotted in Facebook Messenger. The findings by developer @Alex193a, reported by WABetaInfo, suggest that Facebook is working to make it possible for WhatsApp users to communicate with Messenger users, and vice versa.

It's good to talk

While many people would appreciate the option of chatting with people who are using different messaging apps, there are complications to overcome. While WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption to secure communications, this is not the case for all messages sent through Messenger. Facebook clearly has work to do in this area, particularly when it comes to reassuring users about privacy and security.

Information about the joining of Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp is sketchy at the moment, so we can only really speculate about how things are going to pan out and what sort of timetable Facebook might be working to.

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Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson
Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson
Freelance writer

Sofia is a tech journalist who's been writing about software, hardware and the web for nearly 25 years – but still looks as youthful as ever! After years writing for magazines, her life moved online and remains fueled by technology, music and nature.

Having written for websites and magazines since 2000, producing a wide range of reviews, guides, tutorials, brochures, newsletters and more, she continues to write for diverse audiences, from computing newbies to advanced users and business clients. Always willing to try something new, she loves sharing new discoveries with others.

Sofia lives and breathes Windows, Android, iOS, macOS and just about anything with a power button, but her particular areas of interest include security, tweaking and privacy. Her other loves include walking, music, her two Malamutes and, of course, her wife and daughter.

You can find her on Twitter and Mastodon.