Meta has confirmed that it will permanently shut down the standalone Messenger.com web app in April 2026, marking the final step in its gradual exit from desktop-focused Messenger experiences. After the shutdown, users who visit Messenger.com will be automatically redirected to facebook.com/messages to continue their conversations on desktop.
This move follows Meta’s decision to discontinue the Messenger desktop apps for Windows and macOS in late 2025. Together, these changes signal a clear shift toward browser-based and mobile messaging rather than maintaining separate desktop platforms.
What Happens After the Messenger.com Shutdown in April 2026
Once Messenger.com goes offline, users will no longer have a dedicated web interface for Messenger outside Facebook’s main site. Instead, desktop users must access their chats through Facebook’s messaging page or switch to the mobile app on iOS or Android.
Meta confirmed that chat history will remain intact and accessible, provided users enable secure storage and PIN protection in Messenger settings. This step ensures encrypted conversations stay available across devices after the shutdown .
The change will have the biggest impact in the European Economic Area (EEA). Until now, users in the region could use Facebook Messenger without creating a Facebook account by registering with just an email address.
After April 2026, Messenger-only users in the EEA will lose desktop access entirely and will need to rely on the Messenger mobile app. Social features such as Community Chats, Channels, and Stories already remain unavailable for Messenger-only accounts, limiting functionality even further.
Official Shutdown Date Confirmed
According to Meta’s support documentation, Messenger.com will officially shut down on April 15, 2026. From that date onward, desktop users will be redirected to Facebook’s messaging page, while mobile users can continue using Messenger without interruption .
What Users Should Do Next
Users who still rely on Messenger for desktop communication should prepare now by:
- Switching to facebook.com/messages on desktop
- Enabling secure storage and PIN protection
- Ensuring mobile access to Messenger remains active
While some users have expressed disappointment over losing the standalone experience, Meta’s direction makes it clear that Messenger’s future lives primarily on mobile and within Facebook’s main web platform.
