Facebook has rolled out the new Messenger Rooms feature worldwide and has now integrated it into WhatsApp and Instagram.
Facebook's Messenger Rooms is intended to be alternative to Apple's Group FaceTime or the Zoom service. Users can use it to make video calls with up to 50 participants. The service is now also available via WhatsApp and Instagram. But be careful - Facebook Messenger will not be available despite the new integration still required. While the creator of a "Messenger Room" requires a Facebook account, participants can participate in such a video session without one. After the latest update, such rooms can also be created with WhatsApp contacts. I'll explain how this works below.
How to create Messenger Rooms via WhatsApp
If you're not currently in a WhatsApp group, create one and add your friends. Once the group is created, you can start a "room" within it using the (+) symbol. You then have to confirm the switch to Facebook Messenger. As soon as your friends or group members enter the room, you can get started. While FaceTime or WhatsApp group video chats are fully encrypted, this is not the case with Messenger Rooms. This means that anyone who wants to discuss sensitive topics should probably avoid the service. However, the feature can be managed quite well. This means that the creator determines how many people can join and can, for example, lock the room completely or exclude certain users. AirPods Pro on special offer at Amazon – now available for 228 euros. (Image: Facebook)
