Facebook has updated its standalone mobile messaging app, as it tries to make messaging more modern. The Facebook Messenger app has gained read receipts, which tell senders when their messages have been read, as well as providing the senders location information. According to TechCrunch, Facebook is trying to make mobile conversations "feel more real."

Product Manager Peter Deng tells “SMS has been around for 20 years, built it was for these T9 phones. We’re focused on leveraging all the capabilities of today’s devices to create a new messaging experience.” He also says these are just the start of app updates designed to make mobile conversations feel more real, as if you had body language cues and more to go by.

messenger in line read receipts location done 1
Unlike iMessage, which requires that read receipts be explicitly turned on by the receiver, Facebook doesn't provide a way to disable read receipts -- but the company will let users hide their location.

The updates are going mobile first, showing up first in the standalone Facebook Messenger apps, and will eventually move out to the Facebook mobile app and the web interface on Facebook.com.

Facebook Messenger for iPhone is a free download from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

TonyC28 Avatar
172 months ago
Facebook, for the love of God, please just put a few hours into making your main app something better than the horrendous piece of crap that it is now.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
drummerdude1390 Avatar
172 months ago
no way to disable read receipts? They are going to get a lot of complaints for that one.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wikus Avatar
172 months ago
Why? What is the big deal?

Obviously you KNOW who ever you're sending a message to is going to read it - why is it so bad that confirmation is posted to the message?

Are you somehow *surprised* that the person you sent a message to read it?

Do you like being hassled by others?

Person X: Hey, whats up? <--- Seen by Person Y
Person X: Hey, you didn't reply, whats up? <--- Seen by Person Y
Person X: What the hell, reply! Whats up? <--- Seen by Person Y
Person Y: WHAT!?

Some of us like our privacy and distance from others.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bigjobby Avatar
172 months ago
Having none of that. App now deleted. poof!... gone.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
burnout8488 Avatar
172 months ago
Why? What is the big deal?

Obviously you KNOW who ever you're sending a message to is going to read it - why is it so bad that confirmation is posted to the message?

Are you somehow *surprised* that the person you sent a message to read it?
I don't like getting a message, having the other person informed that I read that message, then getting another one from them asking if I'm going to respond. I'll respond when I can! I've got it disabled in iMessage for that reason.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Flitzy Avatar
172 months ago
no way to disable read receipts? They are going to get a lot of complaints for that one.

Why? What is the big deal?

Obviously you KNOW who ever you're sending a message to is going to read it - why is it so bad that confirmation is posted to the message?

Are you somehow *surprised* that the person you sent a message to read it?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
iPhone Car Key Kia

Here's Which Vehicles Offer iPhone Car Keys

Sunday July 6, 2025 3:03 pm PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. Apple has a web page with a list of vehicle models that ...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iphone 17 pro render majin bu

New iPhone 17 Pro Renders Highlight Apple Logo and MagSafe Design Changes

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:43 pm PDT by
New renders today provide the best look yet relocated Apple logo and redesigned MagSafe magnet array of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Image via Majin Bu. Several of the design changes coming to the iPhone 17 Pro model have been rumored for some time, such as the elongated camera bump that spans the full width of the device, with the LiDAR Scanner and flash moving to the right side. ...
Prime Day 25 Feature Warm Triad

The Best Early Prime Day Deals on Apple Products

Saturday July 5, 2025 7:22 am PDT by
Amazon is soon to be back with its annual summertime Prime Day event, lasting for four days from July 8-11, the longest Prime Day yet. As it does every year, Prime Day offers shoppers a huge selection of deals across Amazon's storefront, and there are already many deals you can get on sale ahead of the event. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a ...
airpods pro 2

AirPods Pro 3 to Help Maintain Apple's Place in Earbud Market Amid Increasing Low-Cost Competition

Thursday July 3, 2025 7:25 am PDT by
Apple's position as the dominant force in the global true wireless stereo (TWS) earbud market is expected to continue through 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. The forecast outlines a 3% year-over-year increase in global TWS unit shipments for 2025, signaling a transition from rapid growth to a more mature phase for the category. While Apple is set to remain the leading brand by...