Meta to shut down Messenger desktop app for Windows, Mac by December 15

Messenger users will be redirected to the Facebook website to continue their conversations, as the standalone desktop apps for Windows and macOS will no longer be accessible after December 15

Meta has announced plans to discontinue its stand-alone Messenger desktop applications for both Windows and macOS, effective December 15, 2025. After this date, users attempting to access the Messenger apps will be redirected to the Facebook website to continue their conversations.

The company has begun notifying users of the impending shutdown through in-app alerts. According to Meta’s support documentation, users will receive a 60-day warning once the deprecation process begins. During this period, the apps will still be accessible, but after the deadline, users will be blocked from using them altogether. Meta is encouraging users to delete the desktop apps once they become inoperable.

Alternative access and security measures

With the shutdown approaching, Meta is guiding users toward alternative methods for accessing Messenger. Windows users can switch to the Facebook desktop app, while both Mac and Windows users can continue messaging via the Facebook website. Chat functionality remains available through the web version of Messenger as well, including for those with Messenger-only accounts—no Facebook account required.

To ensure a smooth transition, Meta advises users to enable secure storage and create a PIN to protect their chat history. This feature, part of Messenger’s end-to-end encrypted chats, ensures conversations are synced safely across devices. Users can check their secure storage status by navigating through Settings > Privacy & Safety > End-to-End Encrypted Chats > Message Storage.

Part of a larger shift toward web-based messaging

The discontinuation of the desktop apps follows Meta’s broader move to streamline its messaging platforms. In September 2024, the company introduced a Progressive Web App (PWA) version of Messenger, signaling a shift toward browser-based services. The full retirement of the native desktop apps, while expected by some, may still disappoint users who prefer separate applications for messaging.

Meta’s restructuring aims to consolidate messaging under fewer platforms while enhancing privacy and syncing features across devices.