Facebook Messenger now requires you to have a Facebook account to join

Facebook quietly rolled out a change to Messenger over the holidays, requiring all new users to have a Facebook account. That means you’ll no longer be able to sign up just with your phone number.

Could this be the start of Facebook’s push to unify all of its messaging platforms?

You’ll now need a Facebook account to use Messenger

While you were probably nursing your post-turkey hangovers, Facebook made a significant change to its Messenger sign up process. Now, you’ll have to sign up for a full Facebook account to talk to those relatives that refuse to use anything but Messenger, as the prior ability to sign up with your phone number is no longer an option.

• Facebook has removed the ability to sign up for Messenger using a phone number
• Facebook also recently stopped its practice of using 2FA phone numbers for advertising and friend suggestion purposes

Yay, I guess? Not giving Facebook your phone number is a good thing, although having to create a Facebook account to use Messenger could be the last straw for some users to use rival messaging platforms.

Best Buy: Preorder the Meta Quest 3

Get Asgard’s Wrath 2 free when you buy Meta Quest 3. Also, get a 6-month trial of a Meta Quest+ VR subscription when you purchase a 512GB headset. Act fast, limited-time offer.

Preorder Now

This change also comes during renewed scrutiny from the FTC, which is reportedly considering an injunction to block Facebook unifying Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram into one messaging platform.

What do you think? Surprised it took Facebook this long to require an account to use Messenger? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Facebook struggles to convince lawmakers why it constantly needs to track your location
• Instagram now hides ‘like counts’ – this Chrome extension brings them back
• Facebook Messenger’s end-to-end encryption isn’t turned on by default – Here’s how to turn it on
• Twitter now lets you upload iOS Live Photos as GIFs – Here’s how

Meet Therabody's All-New TheraFace Mask

TheraFace Mask is a breakthrough FDA-cleared LED skincare mask with added tension-relieving vibration therapy. Clinically proven results include firmer, smoother, healthier-looking skin with a visible reduction in fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven tone in as little as 8 weeks

Learn More

Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere. His hobbies include photography, animation, and hoarding Reddit gold.