Messenger's MacOS app will be discontinued on 2025-12-15, requiring users to switch to browser or mobile apps.
Shutdown Details and Alternatives
Meta announced the shutdown of the Messenger MacOS app on 2023-10-15, with the app being pulled from the Mac App Store. Users are advised to use Messenger.com or mobile versions. Alternatives like WhatsApp Desktop, Signal, Slack, and Discord are gaining popularity.
To save chat history before the shutdown, users should enable secure storage within the app's Privacy & Safety settings. This allows message sync to the browser.
Impact on Users
The shutdown mainly affects Mac users who relied on a dedicated app for messaging. While mobile users remain unaffected, those accustomed to using Messenger on desktops face extra steps and slower notifications.
Groups such as hybrid workers and families sharing a single Mac might experience inconvenience, particularly in regions like India, where desktops are used for shared household tasks.
Key Features and User Guidance
The Messenger Mac app, launched in March 2020, supported features like Rooms for video calls and AI Studio for chatbots, which are lost with the app's discontinuation. Core functions remain accessible via the web version.
Users should ensure their chat history is backed up, delete the app, and validate new setups to avoid disruptions in messaging services.
