Meta to allow WhatsApp and Messenger to send messages to other apps soon.

Meta is making a groundbreaking change to WhatsApp and Messenger by allowing them to interact with third-party messaging services, but only for users in the European Union (EU). This change, driven by the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), aims to create interoperability between Meta’s messaging platforms and external apps, enabling users to communicate seamlessly across different services.

Meta has started implementing new features in WhatsApp and Messenger that will allow users to send and receive messages from third-party apps, an update that will roll out over the coming months. These changes are designed to comply with the DMA, which requires large platforms, or “gatekeepers,” like Meta, to support third-party integrations.

For now, these features will be limited to the EU, where users will have the option to enable this cross-platform communication. Notifications will inform users when a third-party service becomes available, and users will have the option to either keep those messages in a separate inbox or combine them with their existing WhatsApp or Messenger chats.

Meta has designed a straightforward onboarding process for users. Once a third-party app becomes compatible, users can select which apps they want to receive messages from. They will also be given control over how to manage their inbox. For instance, users can choose to keep third-party chats in a dedicated folder or merge them into their primary chat list. This flexibility gives users more control over their messaging experience.

Not only will Meta ensure basic interoperability, but the company is also planning to offer *rich messaging features* for third-party chats. These include typing indicators, reactions, direct replies, and read receipts, enhancing the experience beyond simple text messaging. These rich features make third-party chats feel integrated and seamless with the existing user interface.

Meta’s roadmap for this initiative is ambitious. While messaging will come first, the company plans to expand the third-party features to include group chats by 2025. This means users will be able to create cross-platform group chats, allowing participants from different messaging apps to communicate together. Even more exciting is the plan for voice and video calling, which will be available by 2027.

This move by Meta is largely driven by regulatory pressure from the EU. The DMA, which came into effect earlier this year, mandates that large digital platforms like Meta must open up their services to competitors. The goal is to prevent these companies from monopolizing communication networks and ensure that users have more flexibility and choice in how they communicate.

For now, these changes will only affect users in the EU. However, the successful implementation of this initiative could prompt Meta to consider expanding third-party interoperability to other regions. Over the coming years, Meta plans to collaborate with more third-party messaging services to build out these features and make cross-platform communication as smooth and secure as possible.

In short, Meta’s updates to WhatsApp and Messenger mark a significant step toward a more interconnected digital ecosystem. While it may take a few years for all the promised features to fully roll out, users in the EU are set to benefit from a new level of flexibility and control over their messaging platforms.