Meta has announced that it will cease operations of its desktop Messenger applications for both Mac and Windows platforms, effective December 15. This decision signifies the conclusion of a standalone app era for users who prefer accessing Messenger on their computers.
Following the shutdown, users will be required to utilize Messenger through Facebook.com or Messenger.com. Meta has communicated that as the discontinuation process unfolds, users will receive in-app notifications. They will have a 60-day grace period to continue using the Messenger app before it is permanently disabled.
In a bid to assist users in transitioning, Meta has emphasized the importance of securing chat histories prior to the app’s closure. Users are encouraged to activate secure storage to ensure that their conversations are preserved, as any unbacked chats will be irretrievably lost. Notably, the Messenger desktop app has already been removed from Apple’s App Store, reflecting Meta’s strategic pivot towards web-based and mobile platforms.
While the desktop version is being phased out, Meta assures users that the mobile Messenger app will remain available, allowing continued access to the platform on smartphones and tablets.
