Facebook Messenger app for Windows Phone 8 now available for download

The Redmond giant has kept its promise and the Facebook Messenger has arrived for Windows Phone, though it only supports Windows Phone 8 devices.

Facebook announced the news on Twitter and said, "Messenger for Windows Phone is now available for download."

The Facebook Messenger (version 3.0.12.0) app can be downloaded from the Windows Phone Store and is free. Some of the features of Facebook Messenger for Windows Phone listed at the store include:

- Get to all your messages without having to open Facebook.

- Bring your conversations to life with stickers and send photos privately.

- Have group conversations and make plans on the go.

- Share your location so people know when you're nearby.

- Know when people have seen your messages.

- See who's using Messenger and who's active on Facebook.

- Stay logged in so you never miss a message.

- Turn off notifications when you're working, sleeping or just need a break.

- Never lose your conversation history or contacts.

Facebook Messenger for Windows Phone 8 importantly doesn't support a few features available for other platforms, such as voice messaging, and chat heads.

The Windows Phone blog notes, "With Facebook Messenger, you will be able to see who's online for a private or group chat, send a private message, and bring messages to life with pictures and stickers. You can also share your location so people can know if you are nearby. All your Facebook friends are automatically added to the People Tab for you to get started sending messages but you can also import new contacts too."

At MWC 2014, apart from confirming a 'spring' release date for the much-anticipated Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 updates, and announcing a host of new Windows Phone 8.1 hardware partners including India's Xolo and Karbonn, Belfiore also provided various platform-related updates.

Notably, Facebook Messenger for Windows and Firefox was shut down on March 3.