Meta has announced plans to discontinue Messenger’s desktop apps for both Windows and Mac starting December 15. From December 16, users will need to use Facebook.com or Messenger.com to continue chatting on their computers, according to a report by CNET. The report adds that Meta will issue in-app notifications to inform users as it begins winding down the desktop versions. Messenger users will have a 60-day grace period before access is completely blocked. After that, users “will be unable to use the Mac Messenger app,” the platform’s help page states. Meta has also urged users to enable secure storage in Messenger to preserve their chat history. Those who haven’t done so can activate it and set a PIN through the desktop app before it’s phased out. After the transition, chat histories will remain accessible across all platforms via Facebook.com or Messenger.com. Users who use Messenger without a Facebook account will still be able to log in directly at Messenger.com, without needing to create one. Meta removed Messenger from Facebook in 2014, aiming to make it a separate messaging platform. The company was also working to develop a platform that would have connected Messenger and Instagram Direct Messaging. However, the tech company shelved the idea in 2023 for reasons unknown. Apart from working on new technologies and features, Meta has also been focusing on improving its safety and privacy protocols. In September, the company introduced its Teen Accounts feature across the world, including Pakistan, to provide a safer and more age-appropriate experience for teenagers. The feature automatically limits who teens can interact with, filters the content they see, and promotes healthier screen time.
Meta announces closure of Messenger desktop apps
