Unexpected Changes in Messenger Conversations
A recent update to Facebook Messenger has left many users feeling disoriented as they find themselves locked out of long-standing conversations. The new warning, stating “This chat is no longer active,” has emerged, redirecting users to a different encrypted thread. Reports from Reddit and various Facebook groups indicate that individuals have woken up to discover years of messages with loved ones—partners, friends, and even deceased family members—effectively frozen overnight, leading to understandable concern.
Users have shared screenshots revealing a grey banner atop their regular chat, indicating that the conversation is inactive due to a security upgrade. This prompts them to continue their discussions in a separate end-to-end encrypted chat with the same contact. While users can still scroll through their previous messages, they are unable to reply, react, or forward any content, transforming what was once a vibrant conversation into a mere archive.
This shift appears to be part of Meta’s ongoing initiative to implement end-to-end encryption as the default setting for Messenger, a plan first announced in 2023. According to Meta’s help page, when two chats exist with the same person—one regular and one encrypted—users must choose which chat remains active, resulting in the other being archived and rendered read-only. Essentially, while the app does not delete chat history, it discreetly relegates older, unencrypted threads to the background in favor of their encrypted counterparts.
For those who have been following Messenger’s updates, this transition may seem familiar. The app had previously issued warnings with banners stating, “This chat will be archived soon,” indicating that only end-to-end encrypted threads would remain active. For a comprehensive understanding of this earlier notification, readers can refer to an explainer on our sister site, Tech Issues Today.
The abruptness of this change has caught many off guard. Some users reported that after updating the app, their primary chat was archived, leaving a separate encrypted chat to take its place unexpectedly.
From a privacy perspective, the move towards default encryption is undoubtedly a positive step. However, the user experience during this transition appears to be lacking. If you find yourself affected by this change, it may be wise to refrain from deleting any chats immediately. Instead, check your archived inbox, confirm which conversation is now designated as end-to-end encrypted, and consider downloading your Facebook data to ensure you have a backup of important messages while Meta navigates this situation.
Given the timing of this update—just days after Meta’s latest enhancements to Facebook’s user interface and creation tools—it would not be surprising if the company soon provides clearer communication or a less alarming notification regarding users’ most cherished conversations.
