Meta is winding down its standalone Messenger apps for Windows and macOS, marking a shift toward a browser-based experience for all desktop users. The move consolidates Meta’s messaging platforms under fewer, web-first interfaces — a decision that simplifies development but ends native desktop support for users who rely on dedicated apps.
As of now, both the Windows and macOS versions of Messenger have been removed from their respective app stores. Meta has begun sending in-app notifications outlining the cutoff timeline: Windows users will lose access on December 14, 2025, while Mac users get a 60-day transition period from the start of deprecation before being redirected to Facebook in the browser. After those dates, the only official way to use Messenger on desktop will be through the web interface at Facebook.com or Messenger.com.
The change follows a broader trend in Meta’s ecosystem. WhatsApp’s Windows client is also moving to a lightweight WebView model that essentially runs the web version within an app shell. For Meta, this approach streamlines updates and ensures consistent features across operating systems, reducing the need to maintain separate codebases. For users, however, it means losing the convenience of a fully native desktop experience, such as integrated notifications and system-level shortcuts.
If you rely on Messenger for work or daily communication, you’ll need to prepare for the transition. Meta recommends enabling “secure storage” in Messenger’s privacy settings before the shutdown to ensure that your message history remains accessible when switching to the browser version. You can do this by navigating to Settings → Privacy and safety → End-to-end encrypted chats → Message storage, then enabling secure storage and setting a PIN. This will allow your encrypted chat history to appear once you log in via Facebook or Messenger.com.
After deprecation, Windows users can continue messaging through the Facebook app or in a browser, while Mac users will have browser-only access. Those who use Messenger without a Facebook account can sign in directly at Messenger.com to continue chatting.
This phaseout effectively signals Meta’s pivot away from maintaining separate native desktop clients in favor of unified web experiences — an efficiency gain for the company, but a workflow change for power users. If desktop notifications or offline access are part of your routine, now’s the time to plan alternative setups before the December cutoff.
