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Not a fan of the Messenger app? Tough! Facebook appears to be making it mandatory

If you've been using Facebook Messenger through the mobile version of the site, then it looks like you're soon going to have to download the separate app.
By
June 3, 2016
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Users grumbled when the Facebook app lost its Messenger integration, forcing users to either download the separate Messenger app or use their mobile browser. Those who are particularly averse to the app have remained on the browser for some time now, but it looks like even that option is slipping away. A new dialogue is now showing up on the mobile version of Facebook’s website for many users, letting them know that the only way they can continue their conversations will be to download the separate app.

At a glance, it appears to be the kind of message that you can just ignore. The friendly reminder says “Your conversations are moving to Messenger,” with an explanation that soon the app will be required if you want to keep chatting with your friends. Many users are discovering that by “soon,” Facebook means, “within the next few seconds,” because although dismissing the alert brings you back to your list of conversations, tapping any one of them will take you to Messenger in the Google Play Store. It’s possible to hop back with the back button, dismiss the dialogue again, and eventually wriggle your way back into your conversations on the mobile browser, but the signal is clear: Facebook wants you on the app and off the browser.

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Their motivations for this are pretty transparent. Facebook is now in command of two of the most popular messaging services in the world (with WhatsApp being the larger of the two) and it’s no surprise that the company is interested in monetizing these massive platforms. We learned previously about the ads that will be coming to Messenger, so pushing all of their users into one easily controlled app is a natural move for the social giant.

What are your thoughts regarding Facebook’s apparent decision to take Messenger access off of the mobile version of their site? Let us know your opinions in the comments!