Meta has announced the deprecation of its Messenger desktop applications for Windows and Mac. This change will be effective from 2025-12-15, after which users will be redirected to Facebook's website for messaging services.
Timeline and Transition
The phase-out of the Messenger desktop apps will begin in late October, providing users 60 days to prepare before these standalone applications cease to function. According to Meta, an in-app notification will inform users of the timeline and transition procedures. Users will not be able to log into the standalone app after this period and are advised to uninstall it.
Data Security and Suggestions
Meta assures that chat history can be preserved by enabling secure storage on the desktop app. Users can safeguard their messages by setting up a PIN. To enable secure storage, users should access Messenger Settings, go to Privacy & Safety, select End-to-end encrypted chats, and ensure the 'Turn on secure storage' option is activated.
Continued Use through Web
For those who use Messenger without a Facebook account, accessing the service remains possible via Messenger.com. This transition aims to consolidate messaging services onto the web platform, ensuring streamlined and consistent user experiences across devices.