Facebook Messenger
Data saver is currently only available on the latest beta version of the Messenger Android app. Justin Sullivan/Getty Image

Facebook is currently working on adding a data saver feature for its Messenger app. The new feature is intended to help users conserve data by changing how the app downloads media content received from friends.

Facebook has already implemented a data saver feature for its main app, and the company is now hard at work to bring it to its standalone Messenger app. The data saver option is located within the Messenger app’s settings. Turning it on will reduce the amount of data used when looking at pictures or videos that have been sent to the user.

When data saver is turned on, the Messenger app will turn images and videos into click-to-download content, according to Android Police. This means that all images and videos received by the user will only be downloaded and viewable when the user taps on them. When data saver is turned off, the Messenger app will just download images and videos automatically.

The data saver feature will only work when a user is on their cellular network. Even if data saver is turned on, images and videos will download automatically if a user is connected to a Wi-Fi network.

Additionally, the data saver page also shows the user how much data they’ve saved and users will also be able to reset the counter as well. This will be useful for people who have a rolling monthly data plan, as pointed out by The Next Web.

Messenger Data Saver
The data saver feature can be enabled by going to the Messenger app's settings. Android Police

Facebook isn’t rolling out the feature to all of its users yet, since it is currently in its beta testing phase. Data saver for the Messenger Android app (version 93.0.0.9.69) is only available through an APK Mirror and on the Google Play Store under the beta program. Facebook has not given a release date for the feature, but it might be rolled out soon through an upcoming software update.