Meta is shutting down the standalone website for Facebook Messenger, with Messenger.com set to go offline in April 2026. The move comes just months after Meta discontinued Messenger’s standalone desktop apps for Windows and Mac, signaling a broader consolidation of the messaging service into its core Facebook ecosystem.
Once Messenger.com closes, users will be redirected to access their messages through Facebook’s main website or mobile apps. The decision effectively ends Messenger’s run as an independent web destination, reinforcing Meta’s strategy of centralizing its products rather than maintaining separate platforms.
Meta has not indicated any changes to the Messenger mobile experience, which remains one of the company’s most widely used communication tools globally. However, the shutdown reflects a shift away from maintaining parallel desktop and web infrastructures for services that can be integrated directly into Facebook’s primary interface.
The consolidation aligns with Meta’s ongoing cost-efficiency efforts and product streamlining strategy. Over the past two years, the company has reduced duplicate platforms, merged features across apps, and prioritized integration across its ecosystem, including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook.
For users who relied on Messenger.com as a lightweight alternative to Facebook’s main site, the change may require adjustments. Businesses and professionals who used the standalone web interface for customer messaging will now need to manage communications through Facebook’s integrated platform.
The shutdown marks the end of an era for Messenger’s independent identity on desktop, as Meta continues refining its product portfolio around unified experiences rather than standalone applications.
Meta to lay off 10% of Reality Labs staff amid metaverse challenges
