New Facebook Messengers Update Rolls Out Video Group Chat Feature, 3D Snapchat-Like Masks

You can now start a video group chat with Facebook Messenger and try out new 3D masks with the app’s 100.0 update, it was announced Monday.

“By *very* popular demand, and after a lot of work to get it right, we bring you group video chats to Messenger on Android, iOS, and desktop on Messenger.com worldwide starting today!” David Marcus, Facebook Messenger’s team lead wrote in a post with a video on how the new feature works.

How To Do Live Video Group Chat On Facebook Messenger

When beginning a video group chat all users in the group are notified, but not with a ring, which allows people to join if they want to without having their devices ringing. However, users can decide to ring specific people in the group to make sure they join the chat.

This is how the notification looks:

Here’s a video on how it’s done:

Once participants get the notification, the user who started the chat just waits for the others to join in. You can also add more friends after the chat has started.

How To Use Snapchat-Like Masks With Messenger

The ability to use masks with iOS comes after Facebook acquired iOS app MSQRD earlier this year. MSQRD uses facial recognition to place effects, like lenses or masks over faces while recording video selfies. Masks will come to Androids soon, Marcus said.

“We're excited to launch Messenger's brand new native camera that comes preloaded with superpowers like 3D masks, style transfers, amazing art, frames, stickers, a canvas, and way more!” said Marcus. “With this update, we're making Messenger a way more visual messaging platform for everyone.”