Facebook today updated Messenger for iOS with the ability to make free calls all over the world, over WiFi or your cellular data connection.
The Messenger app already had Voice Calls built in since quite some time, but the feature was available in a select set of countries like Canada and the US. With version 4.1, Facebook has rolled out this feature to all countries:
Free Calls: Talk as long as you want and stay in touch wherever you are. (Calls are free over Wi-Fi. Otherwise, standard data charges apply).
There are a number of services that let you make free voice calls over the internet, including FaceTime Audio, Skype, Tango and Viber. FaceTime Audio has the advantage of being integrated right into iOS, making it great for voice calls to other iPhone users, but these other services are cross-platform, and let you make free calls to Android and Windows Phone users as well.
Interestingly, Facebook’s $19 billion acquisition WhatsApp is also working on free voice calls.
If the app hasn’t been automatically updated, you can download the update via the Updates tab in the App Store app or use the iTunes link below.
Let us know which of these services do you use on a regular basis in the comments below.
Download link:
Thanks Brice for the tip!