Meta to Shut Down Messenger Website in April 2026 in Major Service Overhaul

SAN FRANCISCO — American technology giant Meta has announced that it will permanently shut down the Messenger website at the start of April 2026, as part of a broader strategy to streamline its services and push users toward mobile platforms.
The company confirmed that the web version of Messenger will be discontinued, meaning users will no longer be able to access the messaging service through a desktop browser via the dedicated Messenger website. Those who rely on the platform for communication will need to transition to the Messenger mobile app to continue using the service.
Meta stated that the decision reflects evolving user behavior, as the vast majority of Messenger’s active users already access the platform through mobile devices. The company believes that consolidating its focus on the mobile app will allow it to deliver a more seamless and improved experience.
The move is part of Meta’s ongoing effort to simplify and integrate its family of apps, which includes Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. In recent years, the company has been working to create greater interoperability between its platforms, enabling cross-app messaging and unified notifications.
Users who wish to send messages via desktop will still be able to do so through Facebook’s built-in messaging interface, though the standalone Messenger website will no longer be available after the shutdown date.
Tech analysts view this as a calculated step by Meta to reduce operational overhead while reinforcing its mobile-first approach across all its platforms.