Meta has announced the discontinuation of its standalone Messenger desktop applications for both Mac and Windows platforms. Effective December 15, 2025, these applications will cease to function, and users will be redirected to access Messenger through the Facebook website.
Transition Timeline and User Notifications
Users of the Messenger desktop apps will receive in-app notifications informing them of the impending deprecation. Upon receiving this notification, they will have a 60-day period to continue using the application before it becomes non-operational. After this period, access to the desktop apps will be blocked, and users are encouraged to delete the application from their systems. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/16/meta-to-shut-down-messenger-desktop-apps-for-mac-and-windows/?utm_source=openai))
Preserving Chat History
To ensure the preservation of chat history during this transition, Meta advises users to activate secure storage and set up a PIN within the Messenger desktop app. This measure will safeguard message history, making it accessible across devices once users switch to the web version of Messenger. To enable secure storage, users should navigate to the settings icon above their profile picture, select ‘Privacy & Safety,’ then ‘End-to-end encrypted chats,’ and finally ‘Message storage’ to confirm that ‘Turn on secure storage’ is activated. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/16/meta-to-shut-down-messenger-desktop-apps-for-mac-and-windows/?utm_source=openai))
Alternative Access Methods
Following the discontinuation of the desktop apps, users can continue to access Messenger through alternative means:
– Windows Users: The Facebook desktop application remains available for Windows users, providing integrated access to Messenger.
– Mac and Windows Users: Both user groups can utilize Messenger via the Facebook website. For those without a Facebook account, Messenger.com offers direct access to messaging services. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/16/meta-to-shut-down-messenger-desktop-apps-for-mac-and-windows/?utm_source=openai))
Background and Context
The decision to phase out the Messenger desktop applications follows Meta’s earlier move in September 2024, when the company replaced the native Messenger app with a Progressive Web App (PWA). This transition was met with criticism due to the PWA’s perceived lack of reliability and polish. The complete discontinuation of the desktop apps appears to be a continuation of Meta’s strategy to streamline its services and focus on web and mobile platforms. ([appleinsider.com](https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/10/15/meta-is-killing-off-standalone-mac-and-windows-messenger-apps?utm_source=openai))
Implications for Users
While the discontinuation of the desktop apps may inconvenience users accustomed to the standalone applications, the core functionality of Messenger remains accessible through the web and mobile platforms. Users are encouraged to transition to these platforms and take the necessary steps to secure their chat histories to ensure a seamless continuation of their messaging experience.
