Not everyone who is online has enough data to browse through the different websites continuously. This is especially so if you use data hungry applications on a regular basis. You will always end up getting that text message we all dread informing you that your data is exhausted.
If you use Facebook regularly, you may be happy to know that its Messenger app for Android is getting a data saving feature that will save you a few megabytes of data from time to time. This feature is still being tested so be patient if you don’t have it on your device. It may take time before it is available for every user.
I have not seen it on my version but those who have it say that it is in the ‘settings’ menu. It is currently available only on Messenger for Android only for both smartphones and tablets. You will clearly see it as it is labeled ‘Data Saver’ and it disables the system that automatically downloads photos and videos you receive. It works when you are on a cellular connection helping you save bandwidth that would have been spent downloading every photo that you receive.
When you enable Facebook Messenger Data Saver, photos and videos sent to you will not be downloaded to your device until you intervene. You can do so by clicking the specific photo or video and that is when that item will be downloaded. As mentioned above, this feature only works when you are connected to a cellular network, when you are on Wi-Fi, photos and videos will be downloaded automatically.
Messenger will be able to keep track of how much data you save using this feature, this allows you to see if the feature actually saves you any data. This is similar to the data tracking feature you can find on most phones. You will be able to reset the counter if and when you wish to do so.
This latest feature comes less than a month after Facebook rolled out the Messenger Lite app for users in emerging markets including Kenya. Facebook understands that not everyone has unlimited data to spend surfing the web. The company wants to get people to use its services without that being expensive for them and that it is why it is rolling such features and products.
Also Read: End-to-End Encryption is Now Available to All Facebook Messenger User
