Meta Platforms has announced it will retire the standalone Messenger desktop application and the Messenger.com web messaging site by 2026. This change affects only specific access points, not the entire messaging service.
Transition to Facebook Messaging
Starting April 2026, users attempting to access Messenger.com on a desktop browser will be redirected to facebook.com/messages. The legacy desktop apps for Mac and Windows will have been disabled as of December 2025. Messenger.com, which allowed users to access messages in a browser without signing into Facebook, will no longer support messaging. Visitors will need to use Facebook's messaging page or the mobile Messenger app.
Continued Mobile Access
Despite these changes, the Messenger service itself is not shutting down. Mobile users on iOS and Android can continue using the Messenger app for messaging. Desktop users will need to transition to facebook.com/messages. Users who operate Messenger without a Facebook account can still use the mobile app, although browser access without Facebook will be limited after Messenger.com is discontinued. Chat histories and messages will remain intact for users with secure storage and encryption settings.
Strategic Consolidation
Meta states that this decision is part of a broader strategy to consolidate experiences under unified platforms that are more efficient to maintain. Native desktop apps had lower engagement compared to mobile and browser options, making them less economical to support. This shift focuses on browser-based and mobile access, aligning Messenger more closely with Facebook.
User reactions have been mixed, with some expressing frustration over the loss of a standalone desktop experience, while others find browser or mobile access sufficient. Concerns have been raised about the need to sign into Facebook's main site for desktop messaging, impacting privacy and convenience. Meta emphasizes that Messenger as a service continues, while only specific access points are being retired.
