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Redesigned Facebook Messenger app for Android now available to more users

Back in October, Facebook announced that it would be totally revamping its Messenger app for Android. At the time, the social network made the redesign available to just a few beta testers. Today, however, Messenger for Android has been updated in the Play Store to bring the new, beautified interface to more users.

In addition to the new interface, the app also has a few new features. For one, you can now easily see which friends are available for chatting and which are not. The menu system has also been redone and makes navigation a whole lot easier. Finally, you can also now initiate a chat with anyone via Messenger, even if they are not your Facebook friend. You simply have to have their phone number.

What about the people you text with who aren’t your Facebook friends? Now you just need a contact’s phone number to begin texting others using Messenger. To help people reach you, you’ll be asked to confirm your phone number.

The update is rolling out gradually to select users now, so head to the Play Store and look for yourself.

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Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Email: Chance@9to5mac.com

Chance currently writes for both 9to5Google and 9to5Mac, in addition to 9to5Toys.