Facebook seems to be testing a new feature that will let users add contacts right inside the Facebook Messenger messaging app.
As reported by Buzzfeed, the feature would provide a new way to connect with other users without using Facebook’s standalone app.
Nothing much is known about the feature as of yet. However, an image shared in the report clearly shows an ‘Add Contact’ option, along with a short message reading, “Adding contacts makes it easier to connect on Messenger. This won’t make you friends on Facebook.”
With its own contact list, Facebook might simplify the process of sending friend requests, waiting to get them approved and then messaging the person when you become friends with. Although the social tech giant allows non-Facebook users to chat on FB Messenger, they still need to send a message request and wait for approval from the other side to start chatting.
It is not yet clear as to how Facebook plans to use the ‘Add Contacts’ feature, but it could be related to the company’s plans to make the app more business friendly. Also, since the feature is under testing, it may or may not see a wider rollout in future.
Recently it was reported that White House got its official Facebook Messenger bot. Last month, the company also started rolling out SMS support for its Messenger app on Android. SMS integration lets users send and receive text messages directly from the Messenger App. To use the SMS integration feature, users just need to open the Messenger app, tap on Settings, select ‘SMS’ from the list and turn on the ‘Default SMS app’ option.