Following the lead of many other apps, Facebook’s Messenger app has now been updated to include the data saver options to help users save cellular data. Many browsers have had these options for a while, and recently, companies like Google and Shazam announced several optimisations to their apps to provide improved services in countries where connectivity is an issue.
As of now, the data saver option seems to have been just added to the Android version of the Facebook Messenger. However, as the feature is in a testing phase, we will have to wait and see if it eventually makes way to iOS or not.
The data saver option, as implemented by Facebook Messenger, essentially allows the users to manually download the images and videos that are sent to the users instead of the app downloading them automatically. In order to enable the option, you need to head to the account settings menu of the Messenger app and tap on Data Saver. Then you need to toggle-on the option with the same name. The app also updates you about the estimated mobile data saved from the feature.
When you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, the app will automatically download videos and pictures. The data saver option will help users use their cellular data more effectively and will likely prove to be cost-efficient.Earlier this month, Facebook rolled out option to enable end-to-end encryption on Messenger conversations. This update provides similar user privacy as available on company’s WhatsApp messaging service and was introduced to provide additional privacy to Messenger users. However, unlike WhatsApp, Messenger users are required to manually choose end-to-end encryption for every new conversation.
