It’s been a while coming, but Facebook Messenger finally has a dark mode on Android. While you wouldn’t know it from the patch notes, the long-requested feature is now live on Facebook’s instant messenger app, although activating it isn’t quite as simple as an option in a menu.

Editor's Pick 10 best messenger apps and chat apps for Android! Slowly but surely, the world is moving away from SMS and MMS as the default way to text message people. It started years ago with apps like AOL Instant Messenger and has evolved into a …

The process involves sending a specific emoji to one of your contacts. Head here for a full guide for how to enable dark mode in Facebook Messenger.

The feature arrives following several other recent dark mode app developments as Google prepares for native dark mode support in Android Q.

Recent Messenger updates

Unsend added to Facebook Messenger

February 5, 2019: An “unsend” feature is finally coming to the Facebook Messenger app. There are a few limitations, but the long-awaited feature is a welcome addition to the suite of tools within the popular chat app.

Using the unsend feature, you can delete a message you’ve sent, and that deletion will affect not only your own chat window but the recipient’s chat as well — as if it was never sent at all.

Facebook Messenger redesign now live

January 18, 2019: After a slow rollout, a delay, a halt, and then a restart, it looks like the revamped Facebook Messenger is finally making its way to all users now. The listing on the Google Play Store has been updated to reflect this new rollout. The new Facebook Messenger 4 is simpler, leaner, and a whole lot more white.

New Facebook Messenger feature will automatically translate messages

June 22, 2018: When a user whose default language is English receives a message in Spanish, they will automatically receive a popup asking if they want messages from that person to be translated. If the user selects yes, all future messages will be auto-translated in that conversation. The feature will also work the other way round for users with Spanish as the default setting receiving messages in English. Users will receive both the translated and the original message, presumably to avoid confusion.

Translations are currently only supported between English and Spanish. Facebook said it plans to add other languages and countries in the future.

Facebook Messenger lets you send 360-degree pictures and HD videos

April 3, 2018: If you have a device capable of recording 360-degree images, you can send those images right through Facebook Messenger. However, you can’t send 360-degree videos quite yet. Along with this update, there’s also a new capability to send 720p video within Messenger.

Facebook Messenger gets admin privileges and joinable links

March 21, 2018: With this update, you can enable admin privileges, which let you approve new members before they join your group chat. You can also remove members and promote or demote any other person in the group chat as an admin.

Along with admin privileges, anyone in the group can create a custom link that can be sent as an invite to the conversation. If admin privileges are turned off, people who click on the links will be automatically added to the group.

More Messenger content: