On Friday, December 3, Facebook Messenger announced a new “Split Payments” feature. The split payment feature will allow users to split the cost of bills and expenses from within a group chat.
“If you’ve struggled with dividing up (and getting paid back for) group dinners, shared household expenses, or even the monthly rent, it’s about to get easier,” the company says.
Users can use Split Payments by clicking the “Get Started” button in a group chat or the Payments Hub in Messenger.
Users can then divide a bill evenly or change the contribution amount for each individual in the group chat, either with or without themselves included.
Finally, you will be prompted to confirm your Facebook Pay information, after which your request will be sent and visible in your group chat thread.
The feature is a “free and fast” way to handle finances through Messenger, and it is currently being rolled out for US users, but it is unclear when it will be expanded to other regions.
This year has seen significant changes for Facebook Pay, which was launched in 2019 and is already available in the company’s apps such as Instagram and WhatsApp.
In April, it was revealed that Facebook Pay was testing payments via person-to-person QR codes, which would allow users to instantly transfer funds with a quick scan, as well as the use of personalized payment links.
In July, the platform also announced plans to expand Facebook Pay beyond its own website, beginning with a partnership with Shopify merchants.