Meta has announced the shutdown of its standalone Messenger website, effective April 2026. This move will redirect users attempting to access messenger.com to facebook.com/messages for desktop messaging.
Transition to Facebook and Mobile
Following the shutdown, desktop users can continue their conversations through Facebook, while mobile users will still have access via the Messenger app. Notably, users without a Facebook account will be limited to the mobile app for messaging services.
Encrypted Chats and User Notifications
Users wishing to restore end-to-end encrypted chats can do so using their PIN, which can be reset on both mobile and desktop platforms. Meta has started notifying users about these changes through pop-up alerts on both mobile and desktop devices.
Historical Context and User Impact
Messenger, which began as Facebook Chat in 2008 and became a standalone service in 2014, has been a significant player in the messaging app market. Despite its popularity, Meta has not provided a specific reason for the website's discontinuation. The decision has left many users dissatisfied, as Messenger remains one of the top four messaging apps globally.
