Facebook and Instagram's major update now allows users of both platforms to message each other. The change brought both apps' back-ends together, which means that users could communicate across the two platforms.  

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Users of both social media platforms can now choose where to receive calls and messages in their message requests or chats. If users don't want to receive any calls or messages, they can disable both platforms' features. 

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Messenger users are allowed to make video calls with Instagram users, and vice versa. The major update also allows IG to have multiple features that are already available on Facebook Messenger. 

These include a "vanish mode," where chats disappear after sending just like on Snapchat, quick forwarding, and messages with colors. Targetted replies, selfie stickers, custom emoji reactions, and animated message effects will also be available on Instagram.

Aside from these features, Instagram is now also allowed to use Messenger's Watch Together feature. This means IG users can now view Facebook Watch, TV shows, IGTV, movies, and other content.  

Facebook and IG accounts would not merge together

Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's CEO, previously suggested that the change is part of a vision for the platform's future as a private social network. However, although IG and Facebook users can now message one another, this doesn't mean that both platforms' accounts would be merged. 

People can still send and receive messages separately if they want to. 

"Just like today you could talk to a Gmail account if you have a Yahoo account, these accounts will be able to talk to each other through the shared protocol that is Messenger," said Loredena Crisan, Product Design for Messenger's Vice President. 

"More than a billion people already use Messenger as a place to share, hang out and express themselves with family and friends," said Adam Mosseri, Instagram's Head, and Stan Chudnovsky, Messenger's Head. 

The two also explained that they made the change because they want to bring some of Messenger's best features to IG.   

For more news updates about IG and Facebook's major update, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. 

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This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Giuliano J. de Leon