Facebook has just said it will gradually relocate its instant messenger from the mobile Facebook app to its independent Facebook Messenger program over the next few days. 

The change in the mobile Facebook app will affect users on the Android and iOS operating systems.

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Users of Facebook on laptops and personal computers will not be affected.

"In the next few days, we're continuing to notify more people that if they want to send and receive Facebook messages, they'll need to download the Messenger app," said a Facebook spokeswoman.

The social network is attempting to make its messenger the best instant messaging service for mobile users. The move will circumvent any confusion by having both apps that perform the same task on one device.

The company also aims to increase traffic to the Facebook Messenger app.

Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, said the company intends to make Facebook Messenger an important business.

About 200 million subscribers actively use the messenger program, roughly one-fifth of Facebook's total users.

The application also supports group chats, trading videos and pictures and Internet-based calls on top of simply sending text messages.

Facebook implemented the change earlier in the year in various countries, mostly in Europe. It said the overall reception has been positive.

The change's effect on subscribers that have the habit of using the main Facebook app is still unclear.

Users on the Facebook app will still receive notifications of messages but will have to open the separate messenger app to read and reply.

The company said the change will optimize their apps over time. It has hired David Marcus, former president of PayPal, to create more features for messenger, such as payment options. 

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