Facebook Messenger Gains iOS 10 CallKit Support in Latest Update

[MacRumors]

Facebook has updated its Messenger app to support Apple's CallKit framework, which was introduced earlier this month with iOS 10.

The CallKit SDK allows incoming calls from third-party VoIP apps to appear on the iOS lockscreen just like a standard cellular ID does.

Incoming Messenger calls show the caller's Messenger profile information alongside controls like mute, keypad, and a speakerphone toggle. On answering a call, users are taken to the Messenger app.

CallKit also enables Messenger users to answer calls through CarPlay, just like a FaceTime or cellular call.

The update follows similar CallKit integrations last week by the likes of WhatsApp and Viber, which have also integrated SiriKit, allowing users to ask Apple's personal assistant AI to perform app-specific actions, like sending a message to a WhatsApp contact.

Facebook Messenger is a free download for iPhone and iPad on the App Store. [Direct link]

Article Link: Facebook Messenger Gains iOS 10 CallKit Support in Latest Update

 

[SethBoy]

Sigh, would very much prefer an option to turn call notifications into normal notifications instead.

 

[FurbyUK]

No Siri functionality like on WhatsApp tho.

 

[gp101]

I wish they could actually tell us that in the release notes instead of saying their usual stuff there

 

[Ballis]

So this only works for incoming calls? Can I not make Messenger calls from the iOS contacts /iOS Dialer?

This seems like a half-assed sollution.

 

[kstotlani]

Why

 

[Keane16]

Nice, hopefully more follow. Nice iOS 10 touch.

No Siri functionality like on WhatsApp tho.

That's been really handy for me. Use Whatsapp a lot.

 

[jessebkr87]

I updated the app and it still just shows the banner notification.

 

[derek4484]

I use Google Hangouts with my Google Voice number, it'd be great if Google updated Hangouts to work with CallKit like this. Its such a pain to answer a Google Hangouts call, you get this little notification on the lock screen, have to press it, then the lock screen comes up and have to enter a 6 digit unlock code, just to get into the Hangouts app, by then the call has usually gone to voicemail.

 

[stiligFox]

Hope Skype follows suit soon!

Although I think historically they usually lag behind in implementing new OS features, so we'll see.

 

[xero9]

I updated the app and it still just shows the banner notification.

Same with me.

 

[cgriffis753]

Same with me.

Same here

 

[gdiebel]

I use Google Hangouts with my Google Voice number, it'd be great if Google updated Hangouts to work with CallKit like this. Its such a pain to answer a Google Hangouts call, you get this little notification on the lock screen, have to press it, then the lock screen comes up and have to enter a 6 digit unlock code, just to get into the Hangouts app, by then the call has usually gone to voicemail.

I agree with this entirely. Hangouts has always been just OK on iOS. I use hangouts in the same manner as you, except using touchID for unlock. Many times calls go to voicemail or the caller gives up. Does GV allow a longer period before going to VM? It would be nice if Google was more open about their plans for hangouts instead of giving us crap like Allo and Duo.

 

[C DM]

I wish they could actually tell us that in the release notes instead of saying their usual stuff there

Seems like all kinds of features aren't always available to everyone at the same time, which would likely make it somewhat odd to mention them and hen have a lot of people not see them for some time after the update. Probably something that plays into all of that.
[doublepost=1474557178][/doublepost]

So this only works for incoming calls? Can I not make Messenger calls from the iOS contacts /iOS Dialer?

This seems like a half-assed sollution.

Seems like a much better option than it was before, even if it's not complete full integration of all aspects into the OS.
[doublepost=1474557365][/doublepost]

Sigh, would very much prefer an option to turn call notifications into normal notifications instead.

Why is that?

 

[magicMac]

What version had callkit support? Had an update to version 89 yesterday but don't see Siri support or anything for Facebook messenger yet. Need someone to call me on Facebook to see f the lock screen is like a Normal call to confirm.

No other updates appear in the UK App Store for me (force refreshed s few times).

 

[gdiebel]

What version had callkit support? Had an update to version 89 yesterday but don't see Siri support or anything for Facebook messenger yet. Need someone to call me on Facebook to see f the lock screen is like a Normal call to confirm.

No other updates appear in the UK App Store for me (force refreshed s few times).

Callkit support is on Viber, Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger at least. Probably others

 

[docziandras]

I updated the app and it still just shows the banner notification.

I hope the solution to this is not to reinstall Messenger as it is for apps to make their Siri integration or iMessage app work...

 

[jessebkr87]

I hope the solution to this is not to reinstall Messenger as it is for apps to make their Siri integration or iMessage app work...

A few of us have said we don't see the new interface yet. They may be rolling out the feature to the updated versions slowly instead of all at once.

 

[Ballis]

Seems like a much better option than it was before, even if it's not complete full integration of all aspects into the OS.

Sure. Receiving incoming calls and being notified by, well notifications, having to unlock the phone before answering only to find out you were to late and the caller had already hung up is a pita. So you are right.

Still, I was intrigued enough to install the app (which I haven't used for years) again only to let it reside for 5 minutes. If messenger calls are being supported from the regular phone app, Ill reconsider. the current solution, while better, isn't good enough.

Once you have played around with other Call Kit enabled apps I think you'll agree.

 

[freeskier93]

Hope Skype follows suit soon!

Although I think historically they usually lag behind in implementing new OS features, so we'll see.

Wasn't Skype used to showcase the feature during the WWDC Keynote?

 

[stiligFox]

Wasn't Skype used to showcase the feature during the WWDC Keynote?

I believe so - but they were also used to showcase Push Notifications at the WWDC when they were new and IIRC it still took Skype a while to get it implemented properly.

 

[SethBoy]

Why is that?

Because I don’t want calls to take over what I’m doing and force me to either accept or reject the call. Sometimes I’m 2 seconds away from completing something before answering the call and there’s no option to do that.

 

[C DM]

Because I don’t want calls to take over what I’m doing and force me to either accept or reject the call. Sometimes I’m 2 seconds away from completing something before answering the call and there’s no option to do that.

So you mean all/any calls in general?

 

[eventailapp]

I do get the new calling UI but the Phone app and Contacts integration only works half way. I can see the call in the history but I can not call the number back. It also does not appear in the list of possible call methods.

 

[Spendlove]

Just got my friend to test call me and it worked a charm. He is using a Samsung as far as I know so it works cross platform.