After much anticipation, Meta has finally unveiled its intentions on third-party chats in both WhatsApp and Messenger. The update will now roll out to all users within the EU, which allows putting messages from Messenger and WhatsApp either in the same inbox as third-party ones, or keeping them separated.

 It will also build new messages in Messenger and WhatsApp that will allow users to link newly supported applications to chat. Meta said it has surpassed the 'basic' feature required for interoperability messages and that it will provide rich message transfer functions such as response, answers directly, writing indicators and reading revenue. Next year, it will also start offering the ability to create groups with other people in third-party chats. But Meta's interoperability plans aren't limited to messaging  the company says it will introduce support for third-party video and voice calls in 2027. Meta has been working on bringing third-party chat features to EU users on WhatsApp and Messenger for some time. The company is considered a "digital gatekeeper" under the EU's Digital Markets Act, meaning it must meet requirements for WhatsApp and Messenger to be interoperable with third-party apps such as iMessage, Telegram, Google Messages, Signal and others.

A hurdle because other companies that want to integrate with WhatsApp and Messenger will have to use the same signaling protocol to keep messages private. In a copy of the agreement that third-party apps must sign, Meta said it will make the signal agreement available to partners upon their request.