Facebook previously said that it was planning to begin enabling cross-messaging between Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, and now it looks like that process has started.
Many Instagram users are reporting that they've gotten a pop-up that says that Instagram and Facebook Messenger's chat systems are being integrated. The Verge shared a screenshot of the message, which you can see below.
After updating to the new integrated messaging system, Facebook says you'll get a "new colorful look for your chats", with the messages you've sent shifting from blue to purple as you scroll through the chat.
The update also brings the ability to react with any emoji, a swipe to reply action, and support for chatting with friends who use Facebook. You'll see the Facebook Messenger icon in the upper right corner of your Instagram app rather than Instagram's DM icon as well.
One thing that hasn't yet been enabled is the ability to message Facebook users from Instagram. That's something that Facebook could flip the switch on later.
Facebook hasn't officially announced the integration of Instagram and Messenger's systems. The update doesn't appear to be rolling out to everyone right now, so you may not see it in your Instagram app yet.
We've seen Facebook extending its brand to other apps that it owns lately, like adding a "from Facebook" logo to the splash screens of Instagram and WhatsApp. Now Facebook is going a step further by integrating Messenger and Instagram's messaging systems, and it may only be a matter of time before WhatsApp starts getting a similar update.