Meta announced the shutdown of its Messenger desktop app for Windows 11 and macOS, effective December 14, 2025. Users are encouraged to back up their chat histories before the app becomes non-functional.
Backup and Transition
To preserve chat histories, users can set up a six-digit PIN or activate Message storage through the following steps: Profile > Privacy and safety > End-to-end encryption settings. After discontinuation, users should switch to using messenger.com or the Facebook desktop app for messaging, provided it is linked to Messenger.
Market Changes
The Microsoft Store has already ceased new downloads of the Messenger desktop app, and the app will soon be removed completely. While an offline installer may temporarily restore use, it will display a shutdown warning. In addition, Meta plans to replace WhatsApp's modern Windows app with a WebView wrapper for web.whatsapp.com.
