As of December 15, 2025, Meta has officially retired its native Messenger applications for both Mac and Windows, redirecting users to engage in conversations through the Facebook website. This transition marks a significant shift in how users will connect, as the once-prominent desktop app now joins the ranks of other pandemic-era tools that struggled to maintain relevance.
The Messenger desktop app was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when remote communication surged. However, it faced challenges in competing with business-centric platforms such as Zoom, which offered essential features like screen sharing and easy link-based call sharing. These capabilities quickly became standard expectations, leaving Messenger lagging behind.
Looking back, the decision to discontinue the app feels like the culmination of a gradual retreat. In 2023, Meta began integrating Messenger back into the main Facebook app, signaling a strategic shift away from treating it as an independent platform. This move hinted at a decline in the app’s importance within Meta’s broader ecosystem.
The technical evolution of the desktop app did not contribute positively to its standing either. On Mac, Messenger was rebuilt using Catalyst, Apple’s framework for adapting iPad apps to macOS. This transition drew criticism from developers for its added complexity, while users lamented the absence of a truly native experience. Prior to Catalyst, the app had undergone several transformations, shifting from Electron to React Native Desktop, as noted by a former Meta engineer. On the Windows front, Messenger was downgraded to a progressive web app last year, further diminishing its appeal.
A Strategic Bet on Facebook (Again)
At a strategic level, this decision underscores Meta’s ongoing efforts to redirect user engagement back to its flagship platform. By merging Messenger into Facebook and discontinuing the desktop app, Meta appears to be consolidating its offerings rather than maintaining separate products. Earlier this fall, the company alerted users to the impending deprecation of the desktop app, advising them to set up a PIN to preserve their chat history before transitioning to the web version.
For users with Facebook accounts, the transition leads them to Facebook.com to continue their Messenger experience. Meanwhile, those who utilize Messenger without a Facebook account can still access it via Messenger.com, allowing for independent login options.
The retirement of Messenger’s desktop app serves as a poignant reminder that not all products require their own dedicated space in the digital landscape. For Meta, this move reflects a broader strategy focused on consolidation and engagement, steering attention back to the core Facebook platform.
