Meta to Discontinue Desktop Messenger Apps, Shifts Focus to Web and Mobile Meta is officially shutting down its standalone Messenger applications for both macOS and Windows. The company has confirmed that the desktop apps will cease to function entirely after December 15. This move signals a strategic pivot, pushing users towards accessing Messenger through web browsers and the main Facebook application on Windows. After the shutdown date, users will no longer be able to log into or use the dedicated Messenger apps. The primary methods for accessing Messenger on a computer will be through the Messenger website, the Facebook website, or the Facebook app for Windows. The company has not provided a detailed reason for discontinuing the apps, but the decision likely reflects a broader trend of users preferring mobile apps and web interfaces over dedicated desktop software. To prepare for the transition, Meta is urging users to take specific steps to ensure their chat histories are preserved. The company recommends enabling secure storage for end-to-end encrypted chats. This process involves a few simple steps within the current Messenger app. First, users should click on the gear icon located above their profile picture to access settings. From there, they need to select the Privacy and Safety option, followed by End-to-end encrypted chats. Finally, under Message storage, users must ensure that the toggle for Turn on secure storage is activated. This action will help archive conversations before the app is retired. Messenger has had a dynamic history. It was originally spun out from the main Facebook platform in 2014 to create a dedicated and streamlined messaging service. Meta later attempted to integrate Messenger with Instagram Direct messages to create a unified communication ecosystem. However, the company reversed course on that integration plan in 2023. The abandonment of the desktop apps does not indicate a decreased interest in messaging from Meta. Instead, it highlights the shifting user behavior where the vast majority of interactions now happen on mobile devices or through convenient web portals. By consolidating its efforts on these platforms, Meta can streamline development and focus resources on the experiences its users engage with most frequently. Users of the desktop apps should prepare for the December 15 shutdown by securing their chats and familiarizing themselves with the web-based alternatives.
