Jun 25, (Emirates 247): Don’t have a Facebook account but want to use its Messenger? You will soon be able to sign into the app using third party authentication.

Facebook has unveiled a feature that allow users without a Facebook account to sign in and start using Messenger. The move follows a recent introduction of voice and video chat services into the platform.

Once the app is installed, the user will be taken to a welcome screen which will ask you if you are “Not on Facebook?”

From there, you can sign up with your name, phone number and a photo.

According to Facebook, the update allows users to enjoy all the features that are available on Messenger – including photos, videos, group chats, voice and video calling, stickers and more.

“With Messenger, we’ve been focused on creating the best messaging experience possible by giving people a fun and easy way to connect and express themselves with friends and contacts. If you’re in Canada, the United States, Peru or Venezuela, we are starting to roll out a new way for you to sign up for Messenger – without a Facebook account,” Facebook announced on its blog yesterday.

But we, here in the United Arab Emirates were able to sign up for the Messenger bypassing Facebook and using the mobile number for authentication.

It will then sync the contacts on your phone into the messenger and only show you those contacts who have already downloaded the messenger app on their devices.

However those who have Facebook accounts and use it for signing in can use some added features such as easy messaging with Facebook friends and contacts, access Facebook messages and use multi-device messaging across mobile devices, the web and tablets.

The move is significant and could give the Messenger a leading advantage vis-a-vis the company owned WhatsApp. Currently users in the UAE can make both voice and video calls using the Facebook messenger. Although WhatsApp enables users to make voice calls, the feature is however blocked here in the UAE.