Meta has officially confirmed it will be shutting down its standalone Messenger desktop applications for both Mac and Windows, with the service ending on December 15. This move marks a significant shift in the company’s strategy, pushing users towards web-based and integrated app experiences for its popular chat service.
The Transition Plan
Starting December 15, users will no longer be able to access the Messenger desktop apps. Upon attempting to log in, they will be automatically redirected to the Facebook website to continue their conversations. Meta is proactively informing users through in-app notifications, providing a 60-day window to transition before the applications become completely unusable. The company is encouraging users to delete the apps after this period as they will no longer be functional. For those seeking a desktop experience, Windows users can still utilize the Facebook desktop app, while all users can access Messenger through their web browsers.
Securing Your Chat History
To ensure a seamless transition and preserve conversation history, Meta is advising users to enable secure storage for their end-to-end encrypted chats before the shutdown. Users are prompted to set up a PIN, which will allow their chat history to be saved and made available across all platforms once they move to the web version on Facebook.com. This feature can be checked and activated within the “Privacy & safety” settings under “End-to-end encrypted chats” and “Message storage.”
What This Means for MENA Users
For the MENA region’s vibrant startup and business ecosystem, this change could impact established workflows. Many small businesses, e-commerce platforms, and customer service teams across the region rely on the Messenger desktop app for quick, direct communication with clients. The discontinuation of a dedicated app may require these teams to adapt their processes, shifting to browser-based communication or potentially accelerating the adoption of other professional messaging platforms like WhatsApp Business, Slack, or Telegram for daily operations. This move underscores a broader industry trend toward consolidating services into web-based applications, urging regional founders and tech professionals to remain agile in their choice of communication tools.
About Meta
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology.
Source: TechCrunch
