Messenger drops SMS support next month

There's some bad news for Android users who've been using Facebook/Meta Messenger as their SMS app instead of Google Messages or Samsung Messages. Notably, the feature that allows users to utilize Facebook Messenger as an SMS app is being phased out beginning next month. This feature debuted in 2016, however it will be phased down in September 2023.

This update has been communicated to Android users. According to Facebook's official support documentation, users "will no longer be able to use Messenger to send and receive SMS messages sent by your cellular network when you update your app after September 28, 2023."

Meta also suggests that users switch their phone's default chat program from Facebook Messenger to Google Messages or Samsung Messages. To change the default messaging app, navigate to Settings > applications > Choose default applications > SMS app and select another messaging program. If no one changes the default messaging app before September 28, 2023, it will revert to the phone's default messaging app.

In 2012, Facebook Messenger enabled users to utilize it as an SMS app. However, in 2013, the feature was removed. In 2016, Facebook (now Meta) reintroduced the feature, but kept it distinct from the main app. According to the official support documentation, users can view their SMS message history through the phone's new default messaging app.