Facebook Messenger 5.0 for Android brings improved sharing and more

Facebook has started rolling out an update for its Facebook Messenger app, which brings the app version 4.0 to version 5.0 for Android users.

In the latest v5.0 update for the Facebook Messenger app, the app retains the look and overall design seen in the previous version. However, the update lets users send images, videos and voice messages in an easier manner.

Additionally, users can send videos from their smartphone's gallery, and play them right in the Facebook Messenger app (requires Android 4.3 and above for now, though Facebook says it will bring this feature to more phones). Users can alsotake photos via the Facebook Messenger app, and share them right after clicking them.

Also added to Facebook Messenger v5.0 for Android are stickers shortcuts, which guides users to the relevant sticker packs when they receive a new sticker from a friend. A new row of icons is also available, for quick access to functions such as inserting stickers and other media. Last in the list of updates is improved search, providing a dialog box to find people and groups.

The updated Facebook Messenger app is available to download from the Google Play store.

The iOS users got the same version 5.0 update for Facebook Messenger on Monday. The official changelog notes that the Facebook Messenger app (version 5.0) for iOS adds video sharing, which now allows users to play the shared videos in the app itself; instant photo sharing, which offers the option to send a clicked image with just one tap in the app; improved search, which will add quick search of people and groups, as well as other fixes including stickers and groups.

The Facebook Messenger app (version 5.0) for iOS now shows a single row of icons for clicking images, selecting an image or video from Camera Roll; choosing a sticker and voice messages below text entry field to include in user's conversation. Further, the new version adds ability to download, by pressing and holding, a sticker pack received from someone. The update was released on Monday and is now available on the App Store (36.8MB in size).