Facebook announced that it\u2019s ready to merge Messenger chat with Instagram, allowing people to communicate seamlessly across platforms. The move is part of Facebook\u2019s bigger plan to unify Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp.<\/b>
\nMark Zuckerberg surprised the world in early 2019 when he laid out his plan to unify Facebook\u2019s instant messaging apps and enable cross-platform functionality. This would make it possible for someone to keep in touch with friends and family without worrying about the app they need to text and call. WhatsApp users would talk to Instagram users and Facebook Messenger users without needing accounts on the other platforms. At the time, Facebook also confirmed that the underlying chat engine that will power this cross-platform functionality would offer end-to-end encryption. As it is right now, WhatsApp remains the only end-to-end encrypted chat app that Facebook owns. Facebook on Tuesday announced the first step towards merging the three chat apps by allowing Facebook Messenger and Instagram users to talk to each other. Whether it\u2019s regular instant messages, calls, and even Watch Together parties, Messenger and Instagram will support the other platform. It\u2019s not all good news, however. There\u2019s no telling when WhatsApp integration will arrive. And the Messenger-Instagram chat is limited to a few countries that are not mentioned in the official announcement. Moreover, Facebook is using imagery that\u2019s indicative of iPhone support for the feature, despite the clear preference for Android that comes from the top. Instagram update will allow users to opt-out of merging their Instagram chat experience with Messenger. Image source: Facebook While it remains to be seen when Messenger and Instagram will get cross-platform support in the US and other markets, Facebook did reveal some of the new features coming to the apps. The Messenger app is easily the richer of the two when it comes to chat features, and Facebook says the \u201cbest of Messenger\u201d will be available inside Instagram soon. Here\u2019s what Facebook means by that: From the looks of it, the update that turns on the functionality will be optional on Instagram, although it\u2019s likely that it will become the new default further down the line. Facebook also says that users will be in control of their privacy and safety. They\u2019ll be able to manage their privacy, \u201cincluding whether message requests go to your Chats list, your Message Requests folder, or whether you receive them at all.\u201d Facebook will also offer Instagram users a means to block suspicious activity and prevent unwanted messages. New privacy options that will govern the Messenger-Instagram cross-platform chat experience in Instagram. Image source: Facebook There\u2019s still no word on end-to-end encryption, and that\u2019s probably a conversation Facebook will delay until it\u2019s ready to merge Messenger-Instagram with WhatsApp. But this gigantic messaging endeavor had to start somewhere, and merging Messenger with Instagram first does make sense.<\/p>\n