Meta has announced the impending closure of its standalone Messenger desktop applications for both Windows and Mac, effective December 15. This decision has been confirmed by multiple news outlets, marking a significant shift in how users will access the popular messaging service.
Transitioning to Web Access
Following the shutdown, users attempting to access Messenger on their desktops will be automatically redirected to Facebook.com. For those who do not possess a Facebook account, the alternative will be Messenger.com. A Messenger help page indicates that users of the desktop apps will receive an in-app notification as the deprecation process begins. They will have a grace period of 60 days to continue using the Mac Messenger app before it becomes fully inoperable.
During this transition, users are advised to take proactive measures to safeguard their chat history. Activating secure storage and setting up a PIN is recommended prior to switching to the web version. Once users migrate to Facebook.com, their chat history will remain accessible across all platforms, ensuring continuity in their messaging experience.
To verify if secure storage is enabled, users can navigate to the settings icon located above their profile picture and select the following path: Privacy & Safety > End-to-end Encrypted Chats.
Meta’s journey with Messenger began in 2014 when the company sought to create a more focused messaging experience, distinct from the myriad features available on its social media platform. In a bid to enhance connectivity, there were attempts to merge Messenger with Instagram Direct Messaging into a single communication platform; however, this initiative was ultimately abandoned in 2023.
