Facebook Tests X-App Notifications

Facebook has confirmed that it’s testing out a feature that would show notifications from Facebook, Messenger and Instagram and allow users to instantly switch between them.

“We are conducting a very small test to make it easier for people to discover and connect with the people and things they care about,” the company told TechCrunch. “We’re exploring ways to help people switch more easily between their Facebook, Messenger and Instagram accounts.”

The feature will use the red notification jewels that remind users there’s something to see in the other apps to boost engagement across all three platforms. So even if someone misses or dismisses an alert — or simply doesn’t get notification from all activity — the red number in the corner will still grab their attention.

The pop-over cross-app switcher appears when some users tap the profile icon in the top corners of Facebook, Messenger or Instagram, displaying a total number of pending notifications from the other apps. Once opened, users see all three of their accounts and a red jewel showing the unread alerts in those apps, which they can switch to with a tap.

As of now, Facebook acquisition WhatsApp isn’t included in the cross-app feature.