If you’re trying to keep a conversation private, then you’re in luck. Facebook is working on a new update that will allow iOS users to lock their messages behind Touch ID or Face ID.
According to a report in Engadget, the new update would be coming in the next few months, designed to ensure users’ privacy on the app. It follows similar integrations on WhatsApp, which is also owned by the social networking giant. Users there can choose their level of authentication, opting from immediately requiring authentication or after a period of time.
For example, you can set the app to lock after ten minutes or an hour, which reduces the friction of opening the messaging app if you’re chatting with friends and want to access messages quickly. It’s expected that this will come to the Facebook Messenger app, too.
Right now, WhatsApp locks the entire app rather than individual conversations. According to one report, Facebook is planning to go one step further with Messenger and allow users to lock individual conversations and chats, ideal for planning a secret birthday celebration.
Speaking of the new update, Facebook said: “We want to give people more choices and controls to protect their private messages, and recently, we began testing a feature that lets you unlock the Messenger app using your device’s settings. It’s an added layer of privacy to prevent someone else from accessing your messages.”
At present, we don’t know exactly when the Face ID and Touch ID feature will come to your Messenger app but check your Settings menu. It’s slowly rolling out to users around the world, so you may already be able to turn it on and start locking those private conversations.
Looking forward to this new update? Let us know your thoughts and check back soon for more news and rumors on everything Apple and everything social media, every week.