Two of Messenger's best features are coming back to Facebook

Facebook
Facebook (Image credit: iMore)

What you need to know

  • Facebook is bringing back voice and video calls.
  • It is rolling out the features on a trial basis.
  • Facebook previously separated the functions with its Messenger app, but now it's bringing them back!

Facebook has confirmed it is bringing back voice and video calls to its original Facebook app, after previously separating the features with its Messenger app.

As noted by Reuters the company is going to let some users make voice and video calls within the Facebook app, rolling out the feature on a trial basis. Apparently, the move is part of a plan to make it easier to make video and voice calls without having to open the separate Messenger app.

As the report notes, Facebook launched its Messenger app back in 2011 but is now on the charge to resynchronize and realign messaging across its platforms including WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram.

Whilst Facebook is rolling out the new features on a test basis, it doesn't appear guaranteed at this stage that the returning functions will stick, and a Facebook spokesperson said that for the full messaging, voice, and video call experience customers should keep using Facebook Messenger.

Apple has continued to push the limits of its own communications app, FaceTime, in iOS 15 on devices like the iPhone 12, bringing portrait mode, audio refinements, and a new SharePlay functionality which has sadly been delayed. From a report last week:

SharePlay , one of the tentpole new features of Apple's upcoming software releases, is delayed.In the release notes for the sixth developer beta of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, Apple has revealed that SharePlay will not be available for the initial launch of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, tvOS 15, and macOS Monterey this fall.

Stephen Warwick
News Editor

Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design. Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9