When Facebook acquired instant messaging app WhatsApp in February for $16 billion, the future of its own app, Messenger, suddenly became unclear.
Facebook seems to have provided the answers: It's making sure Messenger is here for the long haul.
Facebook will soon force all users to send messages through Messenger, eliminating chat features from the traditional iOS and Android versions of the app, a spokesperson confirmed to Mashable. Facebook has begun notifying users about the change, with some in Europe receiving the update today.
These users will have two weeks to download Messenger before the service disappears, according to TechCrunch, which first reported the news.
This update to the standalone app will make Messenger the only way to chat on mobile.
The company will notify users multiple times before the feature disappears, although no timeline has been set for the final deletion of the main app.
