Meta to Shut Down Standalone Facebook Messenger Website in 2026 | Sada Elbalad
Meta has announced a restructuring plan that will retire the standalone Messenger web site, with the shutdown scheduled for April 2026. The move is part of a broader effort to streamline Meta’s services and reduce the number of platforms that require ongoing maintenance.
The aim is to deliver a more cohesive messaging experience by anchoring conversations to Facebook’s main website and the Messenger mobile app, rather than maintaining a separate web portal for messaging.
Web-based messaging will remain accessible, but users will need to sign into Facebook.com to view and send messages. Those who do not use Facebook will still be able to chat through the Messenger mobile app, keeping mobile access available for those who prefer it.
For users who rely on chat backups, chat histories can be restored across devices using a personal identification number (PIN) created when backups were enabled. If the PIN is forgotten, it can be reset to regain access to conversations.
The shift follows previous steps to retire standalone Messenger desktop apps for Windows and macOS, with many users already redirected to Facebook’s site for messaging. Meta has been gradually reintegrating Messenger into the Facebook ecosystem, moving away from the earlier split that began when Messenger debuted as Facebook Chat in 2008 and later became a separate app in 2011. Since 2023, the company has been reintegrating messaging features back into the main Facebook app to create a more unified user journey.
Some users have expressed frustration on social platforms, particularly those who prefer not to rely on Facebook’s site for messaging or who have deactivated their accounts. Nevertheless, Meta argues that consolidating these services will reduce operating costs and deliver a more seamless experience across its core apps.
