Did you use Messenger for your text messages? Soon it won’t be possible

If you are one of those who use the Messenger application on Android to send and receive SMS, you will soon have to move on to something else.

There was a time when instant messaging apps wanted to offer SMS functionality as well, in part to make them easier to use in places where this type of message is still very popular, like the United States. That era is well and truly over.

A feature discontinued in 2013 and reintroduced 3 years later

” If you are using Messenger as your default messaging app for text messages on your Android device, please note that you will no longer be able to use Messenger to send text messages and receive text messages from your mobile network after updating the app from September 28, 2023 “, has just announced Facebook Messenger.

” You’ll still be able to send and receive text messages over your cellular network and access your text message history with your phone’s new default messaging app. “, Continues the platform. To change the default application, simply go to the smartphone settings, then Applications, then Default applications and finally, SMS application. You can then choose the service you want.

Facebook Messenger first offered SMS support on Android in 2012, but the feature was discontinued in 2013. Three years later, Facebook relaunched a similar tool, with purple-colored chat threads, for differentiate from the blue that was then applied for discussions on Facebook Messenger.

Victory for the RCS protocol

Messenger isn’t the only service to ditch texting. This type of message, for example, arrived on Google Hangouts in 2013, mixing with the application’s own messages. They disappeared for good in 2017. Hangouts has since closed in favor of Google Chats.

For its part, Messenger did not explain the reasons for the end of SMS support. It is possible that the feature did not register a significant number of users, especially since it does not support the RCS protocol. This is therefore a victory for Google, which is increasing its efforts to push for its adoption.

Sources: facebook messenger, 9to5Google