Nate Communications said on Tuesday it has introduced a social login feature to its messenger service NateOn to broaden user accessibility.

The key to the revamp is to “unlock the messenger.” Through updates under way since Jan. 14, NateOn supports immediate access using existing social accounts without creating a separate ID, even for users who are not Nate members.

The social login platforms supported are 4: Kakao, Naver, Google and Apple. It offers a wide range of options, including the 2 portals with overwhelmingly high usage in South Korea as well as Google and Apple logins with strong potential for global expansion.

The update simplifies the “sign-up” process into an “access” experience. When using social login, users can access NateOn immediately after only minimal verification using a phone number or email address registered to the account. It also applies OAuth, the standard authentication system used by each social platform, to secure trust in security, and offers a continuous experience that stays connected with the same social account on both PC and mobile.

NateOn’s change targets the “multi-messenger” trend, a new flow in the messenger market. More users are using multiple messengers depending on purpose, relationships and circumstances, rather than relying on a single messenger for all communication.

In particular, there is a growing trend toward a clearer need to separate personal and work use, with everyday private conversations handled through mobile-centric personal messengers, while official communication requiring work collaboration or large file transfers uses a separate messenger optimized for PC environments. NateOn’s strategy is to actively embrace external users through the introduction of social login and solidify its position as the most efficient “work second messenger” for them.

NateOn has functions essential for work environments, including large file transfers and management, message recall, a “teamroom” specialized for group communication, and remote control.

Son Hyeong-seon (손형선), head of NateOn, said, “Following the earlier introduction of two-factor authentication that proactively eased users’ security concerns, applying social login this time has also reduced inconvenience in the login process.” He added, “We plan to strengthen the balance between security and convenience and build a messenger environment that more users can access with peace of mind.”