First, Meta removed the standalone Messenger desktop apps for Windows and macOS. Now, it is pulling the plug on Messenger.com. The company confirmed that its dedicated web messaging portal will stop working in April 2026.
Users who still rely on the browser-based site will soon see automatic redirects. Conversations will move to Facebook.com/messages instead.
Messenger began as a standalone mobile app in 2011, years after Facebook introduced its original chat feature. Over time, Meta expanded it into a web portal and desktop applications. However, in December 2025, Meta discontinued the Messenger desktop apps for Windows and Mac. The upcoming shutdown of Messenger.com continues that consolidation.
According to Meta’s advisory, users will not lose their conversations. The company said chats can still be accessed through Facebook’s main website or the Messenger mobile app. The iOS and Android apps remain fully operational. Users can also restore chat history using a PIN.
However, the shift affects people who used Messenger without a Facebook account. Once the website shuts down, they will no longer access chats on the web. They must use the mobile app to continue messaging.
Meta’s decision reflects a broader move to streamline platforms. Reports indicate the company wants to focus resources on fewer, more integrated services. At the same time, Meta has introduced additional security tools across its platforms, including scam detection on Messenger and passkeys for password-free logins.
The shutdown marks the end of Messenger’s standalone web era. Starting April 2026, web messaging will exist only within Facebook’s main interface.
