Facebook Messenger just got a huge free iPhone update

Facebook Messenger just got a huge free update, and it's particularly good for iPhone users. Apple's hands-free calling via Siri has now been added to the iPhone app, so you can ask Siri to call or message someone via the Messenger app.

The app also introduces a feature that'll feel very familiar to FaceTime users: audio and video messages. You can now use the app to leave a voice or video message when you make a call and the other person doesn't answer.

These new features are part of a much bigger upgrade that makes it clear Meta would like Messenger to be the hub for all your communications, not just the odd instant message.

What's new in the Facebook Messenger app

As Meta puts it: "Messenger Calling is becoming more and more like a fully outfitted phone."

Hands-free calling and HD video calling will be on by default if you're calling via a Wi-Fi connection. The default for mobile data is for HD to be switched off, but you can override that default in the app's settings.

The app also adds background noise suppression for clearer calls, and there's a new voice isolation feature to detect and boost your voice to elevate it further.

Another new feature isn't here yet, but is coming soon – AI images for your chat themes, generated by Meta AI. This will apparently enable you to "add a little excitement to your call" by tapping on the Effects icon in the sidebar.

It's clear that the objective here is for people to spend more time inside the Messenger app, but it's a shame that Meta hasn't continued with interoperability between its different social applications.

The previous feature that enabled cross-app communication between Messenger and Instagram was removed in December 2023, and there's no messaging interoperability between Messenger and Threads, which expects you to use Instagram's hopeless and horrible direct messaging system instead.