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Meta has announced that it will soon discontinue the desktop version of Messenger, marking the end of this service for desktop users. The company has asked users to switch to the web or mobile versions to continue chatting. Meta is currently focusing on streamlining its platforms to provide a better user experience and generate more revenue.
In a recent statement, Meta announced that the “Messenger desktop app will soon be phased out.” Users can only log into the app. Instead, they will be redirected to use Facebook’s website to send and receive messages.
“The Messenger app for Mac is being deprecated. After deprecation, you won’t be able to log into this app and will be automatically redirected to use the Facebook website for messaging,” Meta said in a support page.
According to reports, Messenger’s desktop app will be discontinued for both Windows and Mac from December 15.
Users of the Messenger app will receive an in-app notification when the deprecation process starts. After receiving the notification, users will get 60 days to continue using the app before it stops working completely. After this period, the app will be blocked, and Meta will recommend deleting it since it will no longer be functional.
Since the news came, frequent users have become worried about their chat history. The Meta has confirmed that “messages will not disappear as long as you take the necessary steps.”
Users who have not yet enabled “secure storage in Messenger” should now turn it on and set up a PIN on their desktop app.
This ensures that your chat history is saved before switching to the web version.
Open Messenger and click Settings above your profile picture.
Select Privacy & Safety, then End-to-end encrypted chats.
Click Message storage and check if ‘Turn on secure storage’ is enabled.
Also Read: Meta introduces ‘Vibes’: A New Feed of AI-Generated Short Videos is Here
Meta is focused on simplifying its desktop experience and combining its messaging ecosystem across web and mobile platforms. The Mac version of Messenger was first introduced in 2020, followed by a Windows version shortly after.
However, both these versions witnessed a limited adoption compared to the mobile app and browser-based chat.
Meanwhile, in September 2024, Meta replaced the native Messenger app with a Progressive Web App. Meta’s decision to discontinue its desktop apps may face backlash from avid users.
