Meta Retiring Messenger Desktop App on Dec 15, Redirecting Users to Web Version

Meta has announced the official discontinuation of its Messenger desktop application for macOS and Windows, redirecting users to the web-based version instead. The desktop app will cease functioning on December 15, after which users wishing to access Messenger on non-mobile devices will need to use either the Windows version of the Facebook app or the Facebook and Messenger websites to continue chatting.

Although Meta has not provided a specific reason for retiring the desktop app, the company stated that users will receive termination notifications and that access will be disabled after December 15. To ensure message histories are safely preserved, Meta recommends enabling Secure Storage and setting a PIN for the account. The steps are as follows:

• Click the gear icon above your profile picture to open Settings
• Select Privacy & Safety, then choose End-to-End Encrypted Chats
• Tap Message Storage and ensure that Secure Storage is turned on

Meta originally separated Messenger from Facebook in 2014, aiming to create a streamlined communication platform distinct from the social network’s broader functionality. The company later attempted to merge Messenger with Instagram Direct into a unified messaging experience but abandoned the plan in 2023.

The decision to discontinue the desktop version likely reflects not a waning interest in messaging, but rather the shift in user behavior, as most people now prefer accessing Messenger through mobile apps or browsers. With the dominance of mobile devices and the growing sophistication of web technologies, maintaining a standalone desktop client has become increasingly inefficient.

This move also aligns with the tech industry’s broader trend toward product line simplification, as companies consolidate resources around their most popular and effective service models to deliver a more unified and optimized experience. For most users, the transition to the web version of Messenger may be relatively seamless—but for those long accustomed to the desktop app, some period of adjustment will be inevitable.

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