Meta has made a significant announcement regarding its messaging services, revealing plans to discontinue its standalone Messenger website, messenger.com, effective April 15, 2026. This platform, which has served as a dedicated space for users to connect with friends and family, will no longer be accessible, prompting a shift in how users engage with the Messenger service.
The dedicated Messenger website is shutting down in April
The news was shared via Facebook’s help page, which also features a notification on the Messenger website itself, alerting users to the impending closure. Following the shutdown, users will still have the ability to send and receive messages through Facebook on the web or via the Messenger mobile app. The transition will be seamless, as users will be automatically redirected to facebook.com/messages for their messaging needs on a computer.
For those who have opted to use Messenger without a Facebook account, the mobile app will remain fully operational, allowing continued communication without interruption. Users who wish to retain their chat history can do so by entering a PIN number used to create a backup on Messenger. If the PIN is forgotten, a reset option will be available.
Users express disappointment
The announcement has sparked disappointment among users, particularly those who have deactivated their Facebook accounts but still rely on Messenger for communication. This sentiment echoes the recent closure of Messenger’s standalone desktop apps, which occurred just months prior. At that time, Meta had already begun directing users to Facebook for messaging, suggesting a strategic shift that may have foreshadowed the eventual discontinuation of the Messenger website.
Messenger’s journey began in 2008 as Facebook Chat, evolving into a standalone app in 2011. Over the years, Meta has endeavored to position Messenger as an independent service, even removing messaging capabilities from the main Facebook app in 2014 to encourage users to adopt the Messenger app. However, in a notable pivot, Meta began integrating Messenger back into the Facebook app in 2023, signaling a new era for the platform.
