Facebook Messenger gets more ways to chat, video sharing, faster photo sharing, better search, and more

Facebook today updated its Messenger app for iOS with a slew of new features. You can download the new version now directly from Apple’s App Store.

Update on April 30: The Android version has received the same update. You can download it now from Google Play.

Here’s the Facebook Messenger 5.0 for iOS changelog:

• More ways to message: Everything’s front and center, so it’s easier to send photos, voice messages and more.
• Video: Send videos from your phone’s camera roll and when people send you videos, play them right in the app.
• Instant photo sharing: Take a photo and send it in just one tap, without leaving the conversation.
• Shortcuts to stickers: When someone sends you a sticker, press and hold down on it to get the pack.
• Improved search: Enter the names of people and groups to find them quickly.
• Other fixes, including to stickers and groups.

If you’re an Android user longingly looking at this update, don’t worry. Facebook tells us the update is also slowly rolling out on Google’s platform “this week.”

Top Image Credit: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/GettyImages