Meta Discontinues Messenger Desktop Apps: What You Need to Know
Meta is officially sunsetting its dedicated Messenger apps for Windows and Mac on December 15th, 2025. This move follows a trend of phasing out native desktop applications in favor of web-based alternatives. if you’re a regular user of the Messenger desktop app,here’s what you need to do and understand.
What’s Happening?
The standalone Messenger apps for both operating systems are being deprecated. This means they will cease to function after December 15th.The change was first spotted through updated help pages on Facebook’s website, and subsequently confirmed by Meta to techcrunch.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Meta previously replaced the native windows Messenger app with a progressive web app in late 2024. Similarly, the WhatsApp UWP app was also transitioned to a web wrapper earlier this year, a move that drew criticism from users.
Why is Meta Doing This?
While meta hasn’t explicitly stated the reasoning, the shift aligns with a broader industry trend. Maintaining separate native apps for multiple platforms requires meaningful resources. Web-based apps offer a more streamlined development and update process.
what Does This Meen for You?
For the next 60 days,existing users can continue to use the Messenger desktop app. Though, after December 15th, the app will stop working.You’ll be automatically redirected to the Facebook website to continue your conversations.
Here are your options:
* Facebook Website: Access Messenger directly through your web browser at Facebook.com.
* Facebook Desktop App (Windows Only): If you’re a Windows user, you can utilize the Facebook desktop app, which includes Messenger functionality. Unluckily, a dedicated Facebook app isn’t available for macOS.
Don’t lose Your Chat History: How to Export Your Data
Before the app becomes unusable, it’s crucial to back up your significant conversations. Meta provides a way to export your chat history:
- Activate Secure Storage: Navigate to Privacy and Safety > End-to-end encrypted chats > Message storage within the Messenger app.
- Set Up a PIN: create a PIN to secure your exported chat data.
- Download your Data: Follow the prompts to download a copy of your messenger history.
You can find detailed instructions on the official Facebook support pages:
* Messenger on Windows Support
The Bigger Picture: A Shift Towards Web Apps
This decision reflects a larger strategy by Meta to consolidate its messaging services and prioritize web-based solutions.While some users may prefer dedicated desktop apps, the company appears focused on a more unified and efficient approach. This move, alongside the WhatsApp desktop app changes, signals a clear direction for Meta’s desktop presence.
Are you affected by this change? Let us know in the comments below!
This post originally appeared on gHacks Technology News.
Linda Park – Content strategist & SEO Expert Notes:
* E-E-A-T: This rewrite establishes authority by framing the news within a broader industry context, explaining why Meta is making this change. It demonstrates experiance by referencing previous similar actions (WhatsApp app). Trustworthiness is built by providing clear instructions for data backup and linking to official support pages.
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