Meta to End Support for Messenger Desktop Apps

Messenger Desktop App Discontinuation

Meta has announced the termination of its dedicated Messenger desktop applications for both Windows and macOS, effective December 15th. This confirmation was provided to TechCrunch on Thursday.

From December 15th onward, access to the standalone desktop applications will be revoked. Users attempting to log in will be automatically redirected to the Facebook website to continue using Messenger.

Notification and Deprecation Timeline

A notification regarding this change will be displayed within the existing desktop apps as the deprecation process commences. Users of the macOS app will have a 60-day grace period for continued use.

Following the 60-day period, the macOS application will become entirely unusable, and users will be prevented from accessing it. Meta recommends uninstalling the app after this time.

The initial observation of Meta’s plans to phase out these desktop applications was reported by Appleinsider.

Alternative Access Options

Meta is proactively informing users of this transition to allow them to adapt to alternative methods of accessing Messenger. Windows users can utilize the Facebook desktop application as a substitute.

Furthermore, both Windows and macOS users retain the option of accessing Messenger through a web browser.

Securing Chat History

Prior to migrating to the web version, Meta advises users to enable secure storage and establish a PIN for safeguarding their chat history. This ensures continuity of conversations across all platforms once accessed via Facebook.com.

Users can verify their secure storage status by navigating to their profile settings, then selecting Privacy & safety > End-to-end encrypted chats, and finally checking the “Message storage” section for the “Turn on secure storage” option.

Recent Changes and Potential User Response

This decision follows Meta’s earlier replacement of the native Messenger app with a Progressive Web App in September 2024. The complete discontinuation of the desktop apps is anticipated to generate negative feedback from dedicated users who preferred the standalone applications.

The move consolidates Messenger access through web browsers and the primary Facebook application, streamlining the user experience across Meta’s platforms.