Meta will retire the stand-alone Messenger apps for Windows and macOS on December 15, 2025, as the company shifts users to browser-based access through Facebook or
Messenger.com.
Users of the desktop apps will receive an in-app notification when the deprecation process begins. They will then have 60 days to use the apps before they cease functioning.
After December 15, attempts to log in via the desktop apps will redirect users to the Facebook website (or
Messenger.com for users without Facebook accounts).
Meta is advising users to enable secure storage and set up a PIN ahead of the shutdown so that chat history is preserved and synced across platforms.
With this move, Meta is consolidating its messaging footprint and reducing dependency on native desktop apps. Many see it as a continuation of its 2024 shift toward a Progressive Web App (PWA) architecture.
For users reliant on the desktop experience, the transition may pose challenges in workflow and notifications. But centralized web access also offers consistency across devices and easier updates.
It remains to be seen how well browser-based messaging will match the responsiveness and usability of dedicated desktop apps. For now, December 15 marks a firm end to Messenger as a native desktop client.
