- What happened to the Messenger desktop app?
- How to use Messenger on a computer now
- Desktop app vs messenger.com
- Calls on messenger.com
- Make messenger.com feel like an app
- Messenger not loading in your browser?
- Using Messenger on a work computer
- What about Messenger on a Mac?
- Should you delete the old desktop app?
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
The Messenger desktop app for Mac and Windows has been discontinued. Meta says it's no longer available, and that to use Messenger on a computer you should go to messenger.com in your web browser. Your chats, calls and contacts are all there, though group calls don't work in Firefox or Edge.
If your Messenger app on your laptop has stopped working, or you can't find it to download, you're not doing anything wrong. Meta has retired the Messenger desktop app for both Mac and Windows. The good news is that nothing is lost: everything you used the app for still works in a web browser at messenger.com. Here's how to switch over and make it feel as handy as the old app. It takes about five minutes, and you won't need to install anything.
What happened to the Messenger desktop app?
Meta's help centre now says plainly that the Messenger desktop app for Mac and Windows is no longer available, and that to use Messenger on a computer you should visit messenger.com in a web browser. If you still have the old app installed, it may stop working or keep sending you to the website. There's no new desktop app to download in its place.
How to use Messenger on a computer now
- Open your web browser and go to messenger.com.
- Log in with your Facebook or Messenger details.
- Your conversations appear on the left, just like in the app.
- Bookmark the page, or pin the tab, so it's one click away.
You can also use Messenger inside facebook.com, but messenger.com gives you a cleaner, chat-only screen that's closer to the old app.
Desktop app vs messenger.com
| Old desktop app | messenger.com | |
|---|---|---|
| Available? | No longer available | Yes, any time |
| Install needed? | Had to be installed | No, works in your browser |
| Messages and contacts | Synced with your account | The same account and history |
| Video and voice calls | Built in | Work in supported browsers |
| Group calls in Firefox or Edge | Not applicable | Not currently available |
Calls on messenger.com
Video calls still work in the browser. Open the conversation and click Start video call. The catch is browser choice: Meta says group calling isn't currently available in Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge. If you run group calls, use Chrome or another supported browser, and allow camera and microphone access when the browser asks.
One privacy note: in calls between two people, Meta says your IP address is shared with the other person once the call is answered, because it uses a direct connection to improve quality. That was true in the app too.
Make messenger.com feel like an app
- Pin the tab in your browser so it stays open on the left.
- Install it as a web app if your browser offers that option in its menu, which opens Messenger in its own window.
- Allow notifications from messenger.com so new messages still pop up.
- Stay signed in on your own computer, but always log out on shared ones.
These small steps bring back most of what people liked about the desktop app, without anything to install or update.
Messenger not loading in your browser?
- Update your browser, or try a different one. Meta suggests this when something goes wrong in a browser.
- Clear the site's cookies and sign in again.
- Turn off extensions that block scripts or trackers, then reload.
- Check you can reach other websites, to rule out your connection.
If you'd rather go back to your phone, keep the mobile app updated, because Meta says installing the latest version may help fix problems. My guide on how to update Messenger shows how, and if you've been thinking of leaving altogether, read how to uninstall Messenger first.
Using Messenger on a work computer
Many people relied on the desktop app at work because it kept personal chats out of the browser. If that's you, open messenger.com in a separate browser profile, so your work tabs, bookmarks and logins stay apart from your personal Messenger. Most browsers let you create a profile in a couple of clicks from the profile icon. It keeps notifications contained, and it means you can close everything personal at the end of the day with one window.
Check your employer's policy too. Some workplaces block social sites on company devices, which would also explain why messenger.com won't load at the office.
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What about Messenger on a Mac?
The same applies on a Mac. Meta's note covers both Mac and Windows, so there's no separate Mac app to fall back on. Use messenger.com in Safari, Chrome or another browser, and if you use Safari, allow notifications when the site asks so you don't miss messages.
Should you delete the old desktop app?
Yes. There's no reason to keep an app that's no longer supported, and old software is best removed. Uninstall it like any other program on your Mac or Windows computer. Your messages are stored with your account, not in the app, so you won't lose anything by deleting it.
My verdict
The Messenger desktop app is gone for Mac and Windows. Use messenger.com in Chrome or another supported browser, pin the tab, allow notifications and you'll barely notice the difference. Just avoid Firefox and Edge if you need group calls.
Frequently asked questions
Is there still a Messenger desktop app?
No. Meta says the Messenger desktop app for Mac and Windows is no longer available. Use messenger.com in a web browser.
How do I use Messenger on my PC?
Go to messenger.com in your web browser and log in with your Facebook or Messenger details.
Can I make video calls on messenger.com?
Yes. Open the conversation and click Start video call. Group calls aren't currently available in Firefox or Edge.
Is there a Messenger app for Mac?
No. Meta says the desktop app is no longer available for Mac or Windows. Use messenger.com in Safari, Chrome or another browser.
Will I lose my messages without the desktop app?
No. Your messages are tied to your account, so they're all on messenger.com.
