Meta Shuts Down Messenger Apps for Windows and Mac

Meta has announced the discontinuation of its standalone Messenger applications for both Windows and Mac computers, marking the end of an era for desktop messaging users. The company plans to streamline support across its various tools by phasing out these dedicated desktop apps, which have seen declining usage since their peak during the COVID-19 pandemic. Users will have a 60-day grace period after receiving an in-app notification before losing access completely.

Transition to Web-Based Messaging

During the deprecation window, users are encouraged to migrate their messaging activities to Facebook’s web platform, which will remain fully functional for desktop messaging. Meta has confirmed that chat history will be preserved for users who enabled secure storage and set up a PIN on their desktop applications. After the 60-day window expires, users will be automatically blocked from accessing the Mac and Windows apps and should delete them as they’ll no longer be usable.

Original Purpose and Declining Demand

Meta initially launched the desktop versions in 2020 to facilitate connection during lockdowns, capitalizing on the surge in video calling demand. At launch, Messenger and WhatsApp video calls had more than doubled, while users sought alternatives like Zoom for staying connected. However, video chat usage has since declined significantly, contributing to the company’s decision to retire these dedicated applications.

The shutdown won’t completely eliminate desktop messaging capabilities—users can still access Messenger through Facebook’s website on their PCs. However, the removal of dedicated apps represents a notable shift in Meta’s approach to desktop communication tools.