Meta to shut down Messenger apps on Windows and macOS by December

Meta is officially phasing out its standalone Messenger desktop apps for Windows and macOS, with full deprecation scheduled for December 2025.

According to Meta support, macOS users will have 60 days to continue using the app before access is blocked. Meanwhile, Windows users are being informed that the app will no longer be available starting Dec. 14.

The apps have already been removed from the Microsoft Store and Mac App Store.

With the removal, Windows users will need to switch to the Messenger feature within the Facebook app or use the web version, while macOS users will only have access to Messenger via browser.

Meta also said that chat history will remain accessible if users enable secure storage and set up a PIN before switching to the web version. This ensures messages are synced across platforms.

Users can check their settings under Privacy & Safety > End-to-end encrypted chats > Message storage.

Those using Messenger without a Facebook account will be redirected to messenger.com, where they can continue to log in without creating a Facebook profile.

The move is part of Meta’s broader effort to streamline its desktop offerings, including plans to replace the native WhatsApp Windows app with a web-based version, per a report by The Verge.