Additional Information
Keep up with friends, no matter what you`re doing!
| Latest Version | Facebook Messenger Desktop |
| Requirements |
Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 10/Windows 7 64/Windows 8 64/Windows 10 64/Windows 1... |
| Updated | June 24, 2023 |
| Author | Meta Platforms, Inc |
| Category | Messaging and Chat |
| License | Freeware |
| Language | English |
| Download | 103 |
Overview
Facebook Messenger is an official desktop chat client application of the world’s largest social network Facebook.com. This widely popular app was built to enable anyone of its large user base that counts more than a billion people from all around the world easy access to live chat capabilities that can be accessed without loading your web browser.
The Messenger powers conversations within Facebook, Instagram, Portal and Oculus (coming soon).
The Messenger Desktop app is a standalone application designed specifically for desktop operating systems, including Windows and macOS. It serves as an extension of the Messenger mobile app, offering a comprehensive messaging platform directly on your computer. With this app, you can access your Facebook messages, chat with contacts, send multimedia files, and make voice and video calls seamlessly.
This is especially useful for people who like to multitask, but want to remain in contact with their friends, family, business, partners, and clients, without having the browser always loaded. By utilizing all the modern techniques that were popularized by other chat clients, Messenger for PC enables users to easily maintain multiple chat connections and see the online status of anyone on their friendliest.
Highlights
Enjoy videos with your friends
Watch films, music videos, TV shows and more with your friends over video chat.
Let the conversation flow
Choose the exact message that you want to reply to or forward, directly in your chat.
Keep your chats extra secure
Opt in to use your device's face or fingerprint ID to unlock Messenger, so only you have access to your chats.
Send money to friends & family
Send and receive money securely and easily by adding your debit card, PayPal account, or reloadable prepaid card. Only available in the US. Single-source cards only eligible for sending money.
Connect with businesses
Find deals, make reservations, and get customer support by chatting with your favorite businesses straight from the app.
Features
Cross-Platform Synchronization: The Messenger Desktop app syncs with your mobile device, allowing you to seamlessly switch between your computer and smartphone while maintaining message continuity.
Voice and Video Calls: Make high-quality voice and video calls directly from your desktop, eliminating the need to rely on your phone for communication.
Group Chats and Reactions: Engage in lively group conversations with friends, family, or colleagues, and use reactions to express your emotions in real-time.
Multimedia Sharing: Share photos, videos, documents, and other files effortlessly, making it convenient to collaborate and exchange information.
Notifications and Dark Mode: Receive desktop notifications for new messages, and personalize your Messenger experience with the option to enable Dark Mode for reduced eye strain during nighttime usage.
Installation and Setup
Visit the official META Messenger Desktop app website or FileHorse.
Download the app for your operating system (Windows or macOS).
Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Launch the app and sign in with your Facebook credentials.
Grant necessary permissions and customize your notification and appearance settings according to your preferences.
How to Use
Upon launching the app, you'll be presented with your list of conversations on the sidebar.
Click on a conversation to open the chat window and view the messages.
To start a new conversation, click on the "New Message" button and enter the recipient's name.
Use the text input field to compose messages or take advantage of additional features such as emojis, stickers, or GIFs.
For voice or video calls, click on the corresponding icons at the top of the chat window and select the contact you wish to call.
Customize your experience further by adjusting notification settings, enabling Dark Mode, or exploring additional features through the app's menu.
FAQ
Can I use the Messenger Desktop app without a Facebook account?
Yes, to use Messenger, you will need to create a Facebook account. However, it is possible to deactivate your Facebook account while still retaining access to Messenger. This is known as a Deactivated Except Messenger Account (DEMA). By deactivating your Facebook account and logging into Messenger with your Facebook account information, you can continue using Messenger independently of your Facebook activity.
Can I receive notifications for new messages while the app is minimized or closed?
Yes, the app provides desktop notifications, ensuring you don't miss important messages even if the app is not actively in use.
Can I send files other than photos and videos through the Messenger Windows app?
Yes, you can share a variety of files, including documents, audio files, and more, directly from your computer.
Can I make group video calls through the Messenger for PC app?
Yes, gather on a bigger screen for group video calls! Stay connected with your family and friends, join a workout session, or host a virtual happy hour on a larger screen.
Does the Messenger Windows app support end-to-end encryption for messages?
While Facebook Messenger does offer end-to-end encryption as a feature, it is important to note that it is not enabled by default. This means that when you send messages through Messenger, they are not automatically encrypted from end to end. To take advantage of the end-to-end encryption feature, users need to enable it manually within the app's settings.
Alternatives
WhatsApp Desktop: Another popular messaging app owned by Facebook, WhatsApp offers a desktop version with similar features and cross-platform synchronization.
Telegram Desktop: Known for its security and privacy features, Telegram Desktop provides a messaging platform with a focus on encryption and customization.
Discord: Primarily used by the gaming community, Discord offers text, voice, and video chat features, along with additional features like server creation and integration with other apps.
Skype: A well-established communication platform, Skype allows voice and video calls, messaging, file sharing, and screen sharing.
Viber: Make free calls to other users, on any device and network!
Pricing
The Facebook/Meta Messenger Desktop app is available for FREE, aligning with META's strategy to provide its messaging services without any direct charges.
System Requirements
OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or newer (64 bit)
Memory: 2 GB
Graphics Card: Intel HD 4400
CPU: Intel Core i5-4400E
File Size: 1.20 GB
PROS
Seamless synchronization between desktop and mobile devices.
Clean and intuitive user interface.
High-quality voice and video calls.
Easy multimedia sharing and collaboration.
Convenient desktop notifications for new messages.
CONS
Limited customization options compared to other messaging apps.
Requires a Facebook account for access.
Conclusion
The Messenger Desktop app brings the convenience and familiarity of Messenger to your desktop, enabling you to stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues without relying solely on your smartphone. With its seamless synchronization, voice and video call capabilities, multimedia sharing, and intuitive interface, it offers a reliable and user-friendly messaging experience.
However, it's important to note the app's limitations in group video calling and end-to-end encryption. Overall, the Messenger app is a valuable addition to your communication toolkit, enhancing your messaging capabilities and ensuring you stay connected across devices.
The Messenger powers conversations within Facebook, Instagram, Portal and Oculus (coming soon).
The Messenger Desktop app is a standalone application designed specifically for desktop operating systems, including Windows and macOS. It serves as an extension of the Messenger mobile app, offering a comprehensive messaging platform directly on your computer. With this app, you can access your Facebook messages, chat with contacts, send multimedia files, and make voice and video calls seamlessly.
This is especially useful for people who like to multitask, but want to remain in contact with their friends, family, business, partners, and clients, without having the browser always loaded. By utilizing all the modern techniques that were popularized by other chat clients, Messenger for PC enables users to easily maintain multiple chat connections and see the online status of anyone on their friendliest.
Highlights
Enjoy videos with your friends
Watch films, music videos, TV shows and more with your friends over video chat.
Let the conversation flow
Choose the exact message that you want to reply to or forward, directly in your chat.
Keep your chats extra secure
Opt in to use your device's face or fingerprint ID to unlock Messenger, so only you have access to your chats.
Send money to friends & family
Send and receive money securely and easily by adding your debit card, PayPal account, or reloadable prepaid card. Only available in the US. Single-source cards only eligible for sending money.
Connect with businesses
Find deals, make reservations, and get customer support by chatting with your favorite businesses straight from the app.
Features
Cross-Platform Synchronization: The Messenger Desktop app syncs with your mobile device, allowing you to seamlessly switch between your computer and smartphone while maintaining message continuity.
Voice and Video Calls: Make high-quality voice and video calls directly from your desktop, eliminating the need to rely on your phone for communication.
Group Chats and Reactions: Engage in lively group conversations with friends, family, or colleagues, and use reactions to express your emotions in real-time.
Multimedia Sharing: Share photos, videos, documents, and other files effortlessly, making it convenient to collaborate and exchange information.
Notifications and Dark Mode: Receive desktop notifications for new messages, and personalize your Messenger experience with the option to enable Dark Mode for reduced eye strain during nighttime usage.
Installation and Setup
Visit the official META Messenger Desktop app website or FileHorse.
Download the app for your operating system (Windows or macOS).
Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Launch the app and sign in with your Facebook credentials.
Grant necessary permissions and customize your notification and appearance settings according to your preferences.
How to Use
Upon launching the app, you'll be presented with your list of conversations on the sidebar.
Click on a conversation to open the chat window and view the messages.
To start a new conversation, click on the "New Message" button and enter the recipient's name.
Use the text input field to compose messages or take advantage of additional features such as emojis, stickers, or GIFs.
For voice or video calls, click on the corresponding icons at the top of the chat window and select the contact you wish to call.
Customize your experience further by adjusting notification settings, enabling Dark Mode, or exploring additional features through the app's menu.
FAQ
Can I use the Messenger Desktop app without a Facebook account?
Yes, to use Messenger, you will need to create a Facebook account. However, it is possible to deactivate your Facebook account while still retaining access to Messenger. This is known as a Deactivated Except Messenger Account (DEMA). By deactivating your Facebook account and logging into Messenger with your Facebook account information, you can continue using Messenger independently of your Facebook activity.
Can I receive notifications for new messages while the app is minimized or closed?
Yes, the app provides desktop notifications, ensuring you don't miss important messages even if the app is not actively in use.
Can I send files other than photos and videos through the Messenger Windows app?
Yes, you can share a variety of files, including documents, audio files, and more, directly from your computer.
Can I make group video calls through the Messenger for PC app?
Yes, gather on a bigger screen for group video calls! Stay connected with your family and friends, join a workout session, or host a virtual happy hour on a larger screen.
Does the Messenger Windows app support end-to-end encryption for messages?
While Facebook Messenger does offer end-to-end encryption as a feature, it is important to note that it is not enabled by default. This means that when you send messages through Messenger, they are not automatically encrypted from end to end. To take advantage of the end-to-end encryption feature, users need to enable it manually within the app's settings.
Alternatives
WhatsApp Desktop: Another popular messaging app owned by Facebook, WhatsApp offers a desktop version with similar features and cross-platform synchronization.
Telegram Desktop: Known for its security and privacy features, Telegram Desktop provides a messaging platform with a focus on encryption and customization.
Discord: Primarily used by the gaming community, Discord offers text, voice, and video chat features, along with additional features like server creation and integration with other apps.
Skype: A well-established communication platform, Skype allows voice and video calls, messaging, file sharing, and screen sharing.
Viber: Make free calls to other users, on any device and network!
Pricing
The Facebook/Meta Messenger Desktop app is available for FREE, aligning with META's strategy to provide its messaging services without any direct charges.
System Requirements
OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or newer (64 bit)
Memory: 2 GB
Graphics Card: Intel HD 4400
CPU: Intel Core i5-4400E
File Size: 1.20 GB
PROS
Seamless synchronization between desktop and mobile devices.
Clean and intuitive user interface.
High-quality voice and video calls.
Easy multimedia sharing and collaboration.
Convenient desktop notifications for new messages.
CONS
Limited customization options compared to other messaging apps.
Requires a Facebook account for access.
Conclusion
The Messenger Desktop app brings the convenience and familiarity of Messenger to your desktop, enabling you to stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues without relying solely on your smartphone. With its seamless synchronization, voice and video call capabilities, multimedia sharing, and intuitive interface, it offers a reliable and user-friendly messaging experience.
However, it's important to note the app's limitations in group video calling and end-to-end encryption. Overall, the Messenger app is a valuable addition to your communication toolkit, enhancing your messaging capabilities and ensuring you stay connected across devices.
