How to Backup Your Messenger Desktop Chats Before the App Closes

In a significant shift, Meta has announced the discontinuation of its Messenger desktop applications for Mac and Windows, set to take effect in December 2025. Users are urged to implement measures for saving their conversation histories, as failure to do so might result in irrevocable loss once the desktop apps are officially retired.

How to Preserve Your Messenger Desktop Chats

To ensure a seamless transition of your messages across various devices, it is essential to activate secure storage for your chat history. Without this setup, your chat histories will vanish alongside the desktop application. However, if you’ve previously enabled this feature, your conversations will remain intact.

Earlier in October, Meta proactively informed desktop users about the impending app closure and highlighted the necessity of establishing a PIN for continued access to chats. If you missed the notification, there’s still time to secure your messages.

Notification from Messenger to create a PIN.

Thanks to the implementation of end-to-end encryption, your chat messages are stored locally unless you opt for the secure storage feature. This means that in order to access your encrypted chats across devices, you will need to utilize your PIN.

You can easily initiate this process from the Messenger desktop app following the prompts from the notification or by navigating through the app settings. Simply click on your profile icon (or gear icon, depending on your app version) and then follow this path: Privacy & safety -> End-to-end encrypted chats -> Message storage -> Turn on secure storage. Make sure to create a memorable 6-digit PIN to avoid losing access to your chat history.

Setting this up is also possible through the Messenger mobile applications or web browser. Once configured on a single device, your secure settings will uniformly apply across your account. Just log in again on any device and enter your PIN to reconnect with your encrypted chats.

Your non-encrypted conversations, on the other hand, will sync automatically without requiring a PIN. However, keep in mind that any encrypted chats may be lost if you clear your browser cache, log out of the Messenger desktop app, or uninstall the app altogether.

If you’re displeased with the upcoming shutdown of the Messenger desktop app, don’t worry; you can download your entire chat history from Facebook, and even retrieve deleted messages. After you’ve saved your data, consider deleting your Facebook account if you’re seeking alternatives to Messenger.

While WhatsApp is an option, it remains under Meta’s umbrella. If you’re looking to exit the Meta ecosystem, consider exploring other secure messaging platforms.

Continuing to Use Messenger on Desktop

Although Meta’s closure of the Windows and Mac Messenger desktop apps is effective as of December 15, 2025, this does not spell the end for Messenger itself. Users can still connect using the mobile applications or through the Facebook and Messenger websites, but the desktop app will no longer be available.

For those who prefer desktop usage, several alternatives exist. Ensure that you save your Messenger desktop chats before transitioning to these methods.

Utilizing the Facebook Desktop App

If you maintain a Facebook account, your desktop experience will default to Facebook.com or may prompt you to download the Facebook desktop app. This app facilitates access to both Facebook and Messenger, although it is notably unavailable for Mac users—only for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.

Installing the Messenger Progressive Web App (PWA)

Meta has been advocating the use of progressive web apps (PWAs), which integrate the functionalities of websites and applications. Firefox users can now enjoy PWA support again, which offers a practical alternative.

To install the PWA for either Messenger.com or Facebook.com, the process varies slightly by browser:

Chrome: Open Messenger.com and log in, then access the browser menu (usually three dots) and select Cast, save, and share -> Install page as app.
Edge: Log into Messenger.com, open the menu, and opt for More tools -> Apps -> Install Messenger or click the Add App button at the address bar’s end.
Safari: After logging into Messenger.com, select File -> Add to Dock, give it a name, and you’re set.

What Happens After the Messenger Desktop App Shuts Down?

Unlike other applications that may continue functioning post-support, Meta is fully terminating the Messenger desktop apps. Upon attempting to access the app after December 15, 2025, users will be redirected to the web versions, either Messenger or Facebook, depending on their account status.

Those without a Facebook account will be directed solely to Messenger. It is crucial to note that users will be unable to enable secure storage or back up their encrypted chats after the shutdown date.

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