ISLAMABAD: Meta has begun deprecating the desktop version of its Messenger app, confirming that users on Windows and Mac computers will no longer be able to access the service through a standalone application.

According to Meta, the Messenger app for Windows is being phased out as part of a deprecation process. Once the process is complete, users will no longer be able to log into the app and will be automatically redirected to use Facebook’s desktop platform or the web-based version of Messenger for messaging.

Meta said users can continue all their conversations through Facebook’s desktop app or web platforms, with the same features previously available on the Messenger desktop app, including desktop calling.

Will users be notified about the change?

Meta said users of the Messenger desktop app will receive in-app notifications once the deprecation process begins.

Users will have 60 days to continue using the Messenger desktop app before it is fully disabled. After the 60-day period, access to the app will be blocked.

“We encourage you to delete the app since it will no longer be usable,” Meta said in its Help Center guidance.

When did the app become unavailable?

While Meta has not publicly announced a specific shutdown date, media reports, including by TechCrunch, indicate that the Messenger desktop app became unavailable earlier this week.

Attempts to download the Windows version now redirect users to Facebook.com or Messenger.com. Meta has not provided an official explanation for discontinuing the standalone desktop app.

Will chat history be saved?

Meta has assured users that their chat history will remain intact, provided certain steps are followed.

Users who have not enabled secure storage in Messenger are advised to turn it on and set up a PIN through the desktop app before transitioning to the web version. Once secure storage is enabled, chat history will be accessible across platforms after logging into Facebook.com or Messenger.com.

Meta said users can check secure storage by navigating to Settings, then Privacy & Safety, followed by End-to-end encrypted chats, and Message storage.

What about Messenger-only users?

Meta clarified that users who use Messenger without a Facebook account will continue to have access to the service.

Such users will be redirected to Messenger.com, where they can log in without creating a Facebook profile.

The change affects only users who relied on the standalone Messenger application on desktop computers. Messenger will remain available through web browsers and on mobile devices.

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Meta discontinues Messenger app for Windows and Mac