Facebook has announced new features for its Messenger app, including a quick reply bar, QR codes, and new chat themes.
The new quick reply bar can be found in the Messenger media viewer, and aims to make it easier to chat about media posted by friends without needing to go back to the main chat thread.
Users can tap on a photo or video and send a response via the quick reply bar, which lives at the bottom of the screen, then swipe up to exit the fullscreen media viewer to return to the main chat thread.
Three new chat themes, which are available in both Messenger and Instagram in chat settings, let users add new twists to their chat thread backgrounds. The themes include Olivia Rodrdigo, World Oceans Day, and F9: Fast and Furious.
In addition, Facebook is adding QR codes and payment links for use with Facebook Pay, allowing users to make payments even if they're not on Facebook.
To access a personal QR code and payment link, go to Messenger settings and tap "Facebook Pay." Users can share the payment link or allow friends to scan the QR code to send or request money.
The new features are rolling out now to Facebook Messenger, which is a free download for iPhone and iPad from the App Store. [Direct Link]
Apple is expected to unveil iOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8, and there are already many rumored features and changes for iPhones.
The first developer beta of iOS 27 will likely be available immediately following the keynote, and a public beta typically follows in July. Following beta testing, the software update should be released to all users with a compatible iPhone in...
Apple today released a new Pride Edition Sport Loop for the Apple Watch. The band features a rainbow design with 11 colors of woven nylon yarns.
The new Pride Edition Sport Loop is available to order now on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, and it will be available at Apple Store locations starting later this week. In the U.S., the band costs $49.
There...
iOS 26.5 is expected to be released next week, following more than a month of beta testing. The update is relatively minor, but there are a couple of new features and changes across the operating system that we have recapped below.
iOS 26.5 lays the groundwork for end-to-end encryption for RCS in the Messages app and ads in the Apple Maps app, and it will include a new Pride wallpaper and a...
Never forget the amount of data Facebook Messenger collects:
Data Linked to You The following data, which may be collected and linked to your identity, may be used for the following purposes:
Third-Party Advertising
Purchases
* Purchase History
Financial Info
* Other Financial Info
Location
* Precise Location * Coarse Location
Contact Info
* Physical Address * Email Address * Name * Phone Number * Other User Contact Info
Contacts
* Contacts
User Content
* Photos or Videos * Gameplay Content * Other User Content
Search History
* Search History
Browsing History
* Browsing History
Identifiers
* User ID * Device ID
Usage Data
* Product Interaction * Advertising Data * Other Usage Data
Diagnostics
* Crash Data * Performance Data * Other Diagnostic Data
Other Data
* Other Data Types
Developer’s Advertising or Marketing
Purchases
* Purchase History
Financial Info
* Other Financial Info
Location
* Precise Location * Coarse Location
Contact Info
* Physical Address * Email Address * Name * Phone Number * Other User Contact Info
Contacts
* Contacts
User Content
* Photos or Videos * Gameplay Content * Other User Content
Search History
* Search History
Browsing History
* Browsing History
Identifiers
* User ID * Device ID
Usage Data
* Product Interaction * Advertising Data * Other Usage Data
Diagnostics
* Crash Data * Performance Data * Other Diagnostic Data
Other Data
* Other Data Types
Analytics
Health & Fitness
* Health * Fitness
Purchases
* Purchase History
Financial Info
* Payment Info * Other Financial Info
Location
* Precise Location * Coarse Location
Contact Info
* Physical Address * Email Address * Name * Phone Number * Other User Contact Info
Contacts
* Contacts
User Content
* Photos or Videos * Audio Data * Gameplay Content * Customer Support * Other User Content
Search History
* Search History
Browsing History
* Browsing History
Identifiers
* User ID * Device ID
Usage Data
* Product Interaction * Advertising Data * Other Usage Data
Sensitive Info
* Sensitive Info
Diagnostics
* Crash Data * Performance Data * Other Diagnostic Data
Other Data
* Other Data Types
Product Personalization
Purchases
* Purchase History
Financial Info
* Other Financial Info
Location
* Precise Location * Coarse Location
Contact Info
* Physical Address * Email Address * Name * Phone Number * Other User Contact Info
Contacts
* Contacts
User Content
* Photos or Videos * Gameplay Content * Other User Content
Search History
* Search History
Browsing History
* Browsing History
Identifiers
* User ID * Device ID
Usage Data
* Product Interaction * Advertising Data * Other Usage Data
Sensitive Info
* Sensitive Info
Diagnostics
* Crash Data * Performance Data * Other Diagnostic Data
Other Data
* Other Data Types
App Functionality
Health & Fitness
* Health * Fitness
Purchases
* Purchase History
Financial Info
* Payment Info * Credit Info * Other Financial Info
Location
* Precise Location * Coarse Location
Contact Info
* Physical Address * Email Address * Name * Phone Number * Other User Contact Info
Contacts
* Contacts
User Content
* Emails or Text Messages * Photos or Videos * Audio Data * Gameplay Content * Customer Support * Other User Content
Search History
* Search History
Browsing History
* Browsing History
Identifiers
* User ID * Device ID
Usage Data
* Product Interaction * Advertising Data * Other Usage Data
Sensitive Info
* Sensitive Info
Diagnostics
* Crash Data * Performance Data * Other Diagnostic Data
Other Data
* Other Data Types
Other Purposes
Purchases
* Purchase History
Financial Info
* Other Financial Info
Location
* Precise Location * Coarse Location
Contact Info
* Physical Address * Email Address * Name * Phone Number * Other User Contact Info
Contacts
* Contacts
User Content
* Photos or Videos * Gameplay Content * Customer Support * Other User Content
Search History
* Search History
Browsing History
* Browsing History
Identifiers
* User ID * Device ID
Usage Data
* Product Interaction * Advertising Data * Other Usage Data
Diagnostics
* Crash Data * Performance Data * Other Diagnostic Data
Other Data
* Other Data Types
great information dump (if someone has a browser script blocker, they can see Facebook [and Google] cross scripting like crazy from A LOT of sites someone visit).
People should know this — then make their own decisions. And for those who know but aren’t worried about it? That’s their choice. But far too many tech un-savvy FB users don’t even slightly grasp the scale of the info they are gathering on them. Final note (the obligatory message to infuriate the A-haters): Apple is the choice by 10 country miles if privacy security is important to a user.
