Meta is officially sunsetting its Messenger app for Mac, with a full shutdown expected within the next sixty days. Once the deprecation period ends, the app will stop functioning entirely, leaving Mac users to continue their chats on the web version instead.
Messenger for Mac Enters Its Final Days
According to a newly published support document, Messenger for Mac is now in its final phase. Meta confirms that the app will soon block new logins and display an in-app alert guiding users to use Messenger via Facebook.com.
The company hasn’t disclosed why it’s retiring the native Mac client—only that conversations can continue seamlessly on the web. While web-based messaging remains supported, it’s clear the standalone Mac app is reaching the end of its life.
Secure Your Chat History Before It’s Gone
Before the shutdown, Meta urges users to safeguard their conversations through Messenger’s secure storage feature. This tool preserves message history and requires creating a personal PIN to protect access.
To do this, open the desktop app, enable secure storage, and set a PIN. This ensures your messages remain available once you switch to the browser version. Skipping this step could result in data loss, so act promptly—especially if you rely on Messenger for professional or long-term chats.
The Countdown and What to Expect
The deprecation period lasts about sixty days from the date your app shows the shutdown notice. After that, Messenger for Mac will no longer function, and Meta recommends uninstalling it once it stops working.
The app has already been removed from the Mac App Store, meaning new users can’t download it. Existing users should use this transition window to ensure their data and preferences are set up correctly for the web-based experience.
How to Transition Smoothly
To keep your conversations uninterrupted:
- Launch Messenger on your Mac and enable secure storage with a personal PIN.
- Verify your full chat history appears on the web version at Facebook.com.
- Enable browser notifications so you don’t miss new messages.
- Once your chats are accessible on the web, uninstall the desktop app and continue using Messenger online.
Making these changes now will ensure a seamless switch when Meta finally pulls the plug on the Mac client—keeping your conversations safe, secure, and readily accessible.
