Meta has confirmed it will shut down the standalone Messenger desktop applications for Windows and Mac on December 15, redirecting users to access the messaging service exclusively through the Facebook website.
The company disclosed the decision to TechCrunch on Thursday, marking the end of Messenger’s decade-long run as an independent desktop platform.
Starting from that date, users will no longer be able to log in to the apps and will instead be automatically redirected to Facebook.com, where Messenger remains accessible through the web. A Messenger help page clarified that in-app notifications will begin appearing soon as part of the “deprecation process,” giving users a 60-day window to prepare for the shutdown.
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“If you’re using the Messenger desktop apps, you’ll get an in-app notification once the deprecation process begins,” the company stated. “You will have 60 days to use the Mac Messenger app before it is fully deprecated. Once the 60 days are over, you’ll be blocked from using the Mac Messenger app. We encourage you to delete the app since it will no longer be usable.”
Meta’s decision, first reported by AppleInsider, signals a broader shift in how the company is consolidating its ecosystem. It reflects the tech giant’s ongoing strategy to streamline its software offerings and focus more on web-based services, which are easier to update and integrate across multiple platforms.
The shutdown also comes nearly a year after Meta replaced the native desktop apps with a Progressive Web App (PWA) in September 2024. PWAs, which run directly in browsers, mimic app functionality without requiring separate installations or regular updates from app stores. Meta had pitched that move as part of an effort to make Messenger “more lightweight and accessible,” especially as the company ramped up its efforts to unify its communication services across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Transition to Web-Based Messaging
Meta is now encouraging users to make the transition ahead of the December cutoff. For Windows users, the company recommends the Facebook desktop app as an alternative. Both Mac and Windows users can also use the web version of Messenger, which Meta says offers the same secure messaging experience as the native desktop apps.
The company is also advising users to activate Messenger’s secure storage feature and set up a personal identification number (PIN) before migrating to the web version. This feature, introduced in 2023, allows users to back up and retrieve their chat history across devices using end-to-end encryption.
To check whether secure storage is enabled, Meta instructs users to click the settings icon above their profile picture, select Privacy & Safety, and then navigate to End-to-end encrypted chats. From there, users can select Message storage and ensure that the “Turn on secure storage” option is activated. Once the transition to Facebook.com is complete, users’ chat histories will remain accessible on all linked devices.
A Quiet End for a Once-Essential App
Messenger’s standalone desktop applications were introduced to bring a more focused, chat-first experience outside of Facebook’s main platform. For years, it served users who preferred a separate workspace for personal or business messaging without navigating through the main social network.
However, usage of the desktop app had declined as Meta continued integrating Messenger functionality back into Facebook and expanding cross-platform communication tools across its family of apps. Analysts believe the shutdown is part of Meta’s broader restructuring to reduce maintenance costs and focus on web and mobile channels that see the highest engagement.
Still, the decision is likely to face some backlash from loyal users of the desktop apps who valued the convenience of standalone access, particularly those in professional settings. Messenger had become a popular tool for workplace communication and remote collaboration, thanks to its fast desktop notifications and screen-sharing capabilities.
However, Meta’s shift mirrors a broader trend among major tech firms streamlining their app portfolios. Many companies, including Microsoft and Google, have moved toward lightweight web-based experiences in place of resource-heavy desktop apps. The change allows faster updates, cross-platform compatibility, and easier security management.
Messenger’s Future Inside Facebook’s Ecosystem
Meta’s continued integration of Messenger into its broader family of apps suggests the company envisions a more unified messaging experience across its platforms. In recent years, the company has made progress in merging the backend infrastructure of Messenger, Instagram Direct, and WhatsApp, allowing users to communicate seamlessly between apps while maintaining privacy protections.
The Messenger web version has also been upgraded with features once exclusive to the desktop app, including message reactions, voice and video calls, file sharing, and end-to-end encryption. By consolidating development around the web-based interface, Meta can ensure new features reach all users simultaneously — without platform-specific delays.
Meta has yet to say whether it plans to introduce a new, integrated desktop experience for Messenger in the future, but given the company’s current trajectory, the web appears to be the central hub for its messaging ambitions.