Facebook Pay launches in the US, plans to work across Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp

Today Facebook has announced that it's unifying its various payment services under one umbrella. It's called Facebook Pay, and it will work in the Facebook app, but also across Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. So you finally have one payment solution in all of the company's apps.

Facebook Pay is rolling out on Facebook itself and Messenger this week in the US for fundraisers, in-game purchases, event tickets, person-to-person payments, as well as purchases from select Pages and businesses on Facebook Marketplace. The Instagram and WhatsApp integration is due to arrive "over time". International expansion is hinted at too, but not with a more concrete timeline.

Facebook Pay aims to make transactions across the company's apps easier, more convenient, and more consistent, while still providing security and protection for your personal information.

You can add a preferred payment method once and then use Facebook Pay where available, instead of having to re-enter your card details each time. You have the choice to set Facebook Pay app-by-app, or for use across apps, so if you decide you only want it for the Facebook app, it won't automatically work on Messenger against your wishes.

Unsurprisingly, Facebook Pay lets you view your transaction history, manage payment methods, and update your settings in one place. It also provides real-time customer support via live chat, and lets you clearly understand which payment services are part of Facebook.

To start using Facebook Pay, go to the Facebook app's (or Messenger's) Settings and find the new Facebook Pay entry, then add a payment method. The service supports "most major credit and debit cards" as well as PayPal. Facebook Pay is separate from the Calibra wallet which will run on the Libra network, and is built on top of existing financial infrastructure.

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