Facebook may be developing an official Messenger desktop app for Mac, according to TechCrunch. The technology website obtained a blurry photo that allegedly shows a Facebook employee using the Messenger client on Mac, which would be easily accessible from the OS X dock as opposed to a tab in a web browser.

facebook-messenger-for-mac

Leaked photo of claimed Facebook Messenger for Mac app (Image: TechCrunch)

Messenger for Mac appears to have a navigation tab bar in the bottom left with options matching the Messenger for iOS mobile app, including Recent, Groups, People and Settings. These menu options are reportedly not found in unofficial Messenger apps, making it more likely the app is not a third-party version.

The company's goal is likely to create a standalone Messenger experience on Mac, similar to how it released a dedicated Messenger app for iOS in August 2011. But unlike when Messenger was detached from the main Facebook app on iOS in July 2014, the web version of the chat platform may remain available alongside the desktop app.

It’s unclear but seemingly unlikely that Facebook would require users to chat via the desktop software instead of the website. We have no information about when or even if Facebook might release Messenger For Mac. The company often builds and internally tests apps that never ship. Still, this app seems like a smart move. Slack has proven people enjoy a dedicated desktop app for messaging. It could help Facebook box out competitors like Google, WeChat, Line, Kik, and KakaoTalk.

Facebook released a Messenger desktop app for Windows in March 2012, and said it was "busy working on Messenger for Mac" at the time, but the company discontinued its Windows app two years later and has yet to release a Mac app. Facebook also launched Messenger.com last April as a standalone web chat client.

Facebook often internally tests apps that never ship, so it remains unclear when or if Messenger for Mac will be released. A company spokesperson declined to "comment on rumor or speculation," but author Josh Constine said that is "the same boiler plate response" he has received about rumors proven true in the past.

Tags: Facebook, Messenger

Top Rated Comments

busyscott Avatar
busyscott
114 months ago
This seriously tops the list of terrible apps I never want.
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sanke1 Avatar
sanke1
114 months ago
Tracking is needed for desktop market isn't it? For mobile market, it's been covered. I feel incomplete if no one is tracking me. For iMacs powered from mains, there will be no complaints of phantom battery drain issue. Development should be easier.

I will also leave a glowing 5 star review for weekly update change logs like "We update the app regularly so that we can make it better for you"

Facebook, Thank you very much for this.

-your die hard fan.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
puma1552 Avatar
puma1552
114 months ago
god why??
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sudo1996 Avatar
sudo1996
114 months ago
Will the desktop app also bug you every time you open it to turn on notifications?
LOL, I was amazed when I saw that the first time. It could be worse. I've started seeing apps giving me push notifications for no good reason (e.g. "you haven't used this app in a while"). I delete stuff like that immediately. Misusing the APN service should be grounds for banishment from the App Store.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fishbert Avatar
fishbert
114 months ago
Will the desktop app also bug you every time you open it to turn on notifications, or is that "feature" reserved for the mobile app alone?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sudo1996 Avatar
sudo1996
114 months ago
Ugh, it stinks that they started disallowing Jabber clients to connect. Last year, I used to be able to contact all my Facebook friends (aka most people I know) just through Messages, plus people on iMessage, SMS, and AIM. It was perfect! I wish Apple would update Messages to support whatever proprietary protocol Facebook uses because I really don't want to have to run multiple messaging apps.

EddiOS42 has the right idea. They probably did it so they can get people to use their own stuff. Unfortunate.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

Popular Stories

Generic iOS 18

iOS 18.1 With Apple Intelligence: New Features, Release Date, and More

Thursday October 10, 2024 8:26 am PDT by
iOS 18.1 will be released to the public in the coming weeks, and the software update introduces the first Apple Intelligence features for the iPhone. Below, we outline when to expect iOS 18.1 to be released. iOS 18.1: Apple Intelligence Features Here are some of the key Apple Intelligence features in the iOS 18.1 beta so far: A few Siri enhancements, including improved understanding...
Read Full Article • 22 comments
top stories 12oct2024

Top Stories: iOS 18.1 Release Date, New Macs Incoming, and More

Saturday October 12, 2024 6:00 am PDT by
Things are firming up for a big Halloween week for Apple, with the company's next operating system updates reportedly coming early in the week and hardware launches coming a few days later. Ahead of those hardware launches, we've recently seen what appears to be one of the most significant physical product leaks in years, while some of the new features in Apple's recent software updates have ...
Read Full Article • 19 comments
ipad mini 7

Apple Unveils New iPad Mini With A17 Pro Chip and Apple Intelligence

Tuesday October 15, 2024 6:07 am PDT by
Apple today announced a significant upgrade to the iPad mini, now featuring an A17 Pro chip and support for the company's new Apple Intelligence system. The refreshed seventh-generation tablet maintains its compact 8.3-inch design while offering notable performance improvements and new capabilities. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The A17 Pro chip brings a 30%...
Read Full Article • 426 comments
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: Apple's Shocking M4 MacBook Pro Leak

Friday October 11, 2024 8:27 am PDT by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the unprecedented leak of Apple's M4 MacBook Pro models and the company's rumored move to more staggered hardware and software releases. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Multiple leaks surrounding Apple's unannounced 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip recently surfaced online. The leaks began with unboxin...
Read Full Article • 84 comments
Apple Intelligence Feature 2

Apple Seeds Seventh Developer Betas of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 With Apple Intelligence [Update: Public Beta Available]

Monday October 14, 2024 10:10 am PDT by
Apple today provided developers with the seventh betas of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 to continue testing Apple Intelligence features. The seventh betas come a week after Apple seeded the sixth iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 betas. The updates can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update. Note that Apple Intelligence features still an iPhone 15...
Read Full Article • 76 comments
16 pro

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Introduce These 5 New Features

Friday October 11, 2024 8:55 am PDT by
While the iPhone 16 series was released just a few weeks ago, there are already many rumored features for the iPhone 17 models, and especially for the Pro models. Below, we recap five key new features rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max so far: 24MP front camera for all iPhone 17 models: All four iPhone 17 models will feature an upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing camera, according...
Read Full Article
iPad mini review thumb

iPad Mini 7 Coming Next Month: What to Expect

Tuesday October 8, 2024 6:16 am PDT by
Rumors strongly suggest Apple will release the seventh-generation iPad mini in November, nearly three years after the last refresh. Here's a roundup of what we're expecting from the next version of Apple's small form factor tablet, based on the latest rumors and reports. Design and Display The new iPad mini is likely to retain its compact 8.3-inch display and overall design introduced with...
Read Full Article • 137 comments