FACEBOOK is testing a new feature that would allow WhatsApp users the communication with Facebook Messenger and vice versa

This would mean that, if you had a Facebook account, you could reach your friends on WhatsApp without downloading the app.

The impending update was discovered hidden in the code of Messenger by reliable tech aficionado WABetaInfo.

The prolific leaker, who hunts down upcoming app features by scanning their innards, said it was unclear when the merger would occur.

"The integration of WhatsApp into Facebook Messenger isn’t available yet," the tech guru said.

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This is a very complicated feature and it requires time. We’ve no idea if the plan to merge those services will continue or if it will be abandoned.

Facebook, which owns WhatsApp and Instagram, announced plans to combine its social media apps into a single messaging service last year.

The new report suggests Facebook is now ready to take the next step.

Messenger's code suggests Facebook has built a database within the app that can store information from WhatsApp.

That database heavily hints the app is being prepared to one day accept messages from WhatsApp users.


Facebook's plan to merge its apps was revealed last year by the New York Times and later confirmed by Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg.

Facebook Messenger, along with Facebook-owned WhatsApp and Instagram, will still exist as standalone apps.

But messaging functionality would be shared across them, so users on Instagram could text people on WhatsApp.

You could even message someone on Instagram without ever actually having an Instagram account.