Facebook Messenger and Instagram have introduced some features to their Android and iOS apps, bringing features such as the ability to archive chat, improved read receipts, visual replies, record voice messages hands-free, new themes, and more.
The new update on Instagram brings the ability of users to send visual replies to messages in DMs. Instagram, not too long received support for sending replies to messages and now the feature is being expanded with the ability to reply via a photo or video.
This feature will be rolled out to iOS users, and will later be brought to those on Android.
Another feature new feature added to Instagram is the read receipts or "Seen State" in the chat list screen. In other words, users do not need to open individual chats to check if the person they are chatting with has seen or read their chat or not.
On the Facebook Messenger's side, one of the new features introduced allows users to recrd messages hands-free with a tap-to-record option. This will make it easier for sending longer voice messages without cramping the user's finger.
Another feature introduced to Messenger is an Archived Chats folder which help users to clear up their chat list.
The update also introduced two new themes for both apps - Star Wars and Selena: The Series which can be accessed from the app's settings, and there are four new Messenger camera stickers designed to support and create awareness for key issues important faced by Asian and Pacific Islanders.