Although there are many messaging platforms today, most remain closed ecosystems, preventing seamless conversations across apps. For example, Facebook Messenger users can only message other Messenger users, and WhatsApp users face similar limits. That is about to change for consumers in Europe.
The change is driven by the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires large tech companies to open their platforms to third-party services. As a result, people in Europe will soon be able to message users on third-party apps from WhatsApp and Messenger. Meta has been preparing for this shift for some time, and the company is now sharing more specifics about how it plans to enable cross-platform communication.
Meta has not published an exact rollout date yet, but it has outlined a phased approach: one-to-one third-party chats will arrive first, group messaging support is expected in 2025, and calling functionality is planned for 2027. At present, these requirements apply only in Europe because of the DMA, but it seems unlikely that such a significant capability will remain confined to one region. Broader cross-platform compatibility could expand to other markets, including the United States, over time.
Meta has published more information about the forthcoming chat experience for WhatsApp and Messenger users. The company says it is focused on making cross-platform messaging transparent and easy to use, taking into account feedback from users and third-party services. Meta explained that other messaging providers asked for a clear, discoverable way for users to connect across apps, so the company is adding notifications to both WhatsApp and Messenger to inform people when third-party chat options are available. Users will be reminded each time a new third-party messaging service becomes accessible.
User control is a central principle in Meta’s plans. The company is developing a straightforward onboarding process that explains third-party chats and gives users the choice to enable them. Users will be able to pick which third-party apps they want to connect with and decide how messages are organized. Options will include consolidating messages from multiple apps into a single inbox or keeping conversations separated by app according to personal preference.
While the DMA mandates only basic interoperability, Meta intends to offer more robust features. Beyond simple message exchange, the company plans to support richer interactions commonly expected in modern messaging: message reactions, direct replies, typing indicators, and read receipts. These features are often missing from basic cross-platform implementations, and Meta aims to bring them to the interoperable experience.
Meta describes its role as a facilitator in the interoperability process and says it will work closely with third-party messaging services. The company will help ensure that cross-platform communication is secure and reliable once third parties have implemented and tested the required technology. Meta emphasized that users will see third-party chat options only after partner services have built, tested, and launched the necessary systems to deliver a safe and positive user experience.
Although many details remain to be finalized, these developments mark a significant step toward breaking down the walls between messaging apps. The DMA is the immediate catalyst in Europe, but the broader trend toward interoperability could spread globally. Meta’s focus on offering rich messaging features and giving users control indicates the company is preparing for a future where messaging is no longer fragmented by platform, enabling a more unified communication experience.
(Photo by Dima Solomin)
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