Messenger for Mac

A standalone desktop app for Facebook Messenger on macOS. Chat with friends without opening a browser.

Why this exists: Meta discontinued the official Messenger desktop app. This is a lightweight replacement that lets you use Messenger without keeping a browser tab open.

Download

Download Messenger for Mac v1.3.0 (DMG) | macOS 10.13+

Signed and notarized by Apple for your security.

Features

• Native macOS App - Runs as a standalone application in your dock
• No Browser Required - Access Messenger without opening Chrome, Safari, or Firefox
• Persistent Login - Stay logged in between app restarts
• Native Notifications - Get notified of new messages
• Minimal & Fast - Lightweight app with low memory footprint
• Privacy Focused - No tracking, no analytics, no data collection
• Dark Mode Support - Follows your macOS appearance settings
• External Links - Shared links open in your default browser
• Power Saving Mode - Automatically throttles when in background to reduce CPU/battery usage
• Auto-Update Check - Get notified when a new version is available
• Keyboard Shortcuts - Quick navigation with custom shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
Cmd + N	New message
Cmd + 1-9	Switch to conversation 1-9
Cmd + Shift + S	Toggle sidebar visibility

All settings (sidebar visibility) are persisted across app restarts.

Screenshots

Chat View	Login
Native macOS window	Secure Facebook login

Installation

1. Download the DMG file
2. Open the DMG
3. Drag MessengerApp to your Applications folder
4. Launch from Applications or Spotlight

Build from Source

Prerequisites

• Node.js 18+
• npm or yarn

Steps

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/stefanminch/messenger-mac.git
cd messenger-mac

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Run in development mode
npm start

# Build for production
npm run build

The built app will be in the dist/ folder.

Tech Stack

• Electron - Cross-platform desktop apps
• JavaScript/Node.js

FAQ

Is this the official Messenger app?

No, this is an unofficial wrapper around messenger.com. It's not affiliated with Meta/Facebook.

Is it safe?

Yes. The app is signed and notarized by Apple. It simply loads messenger.com in a native window - no modifications to Messenger itself.

Why use this instead of the browser?

• Dedicated app in your dock
• Separate from browser tabs
• Stays logged in
• Cleaner experience
• Less resource usage than a full browser

Does it support voice/video calls?

Yes, all Messenger features work including voice and video calls.

My login isn't persisting?

Make sure to quit the app with Cmd+Q (not just close the window) to save your session.

Keywords

Facebook Messenger Mac, Messenger Desktop App, Messenger macOS, Facebook Chat Mac App, Messenger without browser, Standalone Messenger Mac, Messenger Mac download, Facebook Messenger native app, Messenger Electron app, Mac Messenger client

License

MIT License - feel free to modify and distribute.

Disclaimer

This project is not affiliated with, authorized, maintained, sponsored, or endorsed by Meta/Facebook or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries. This is an independent and unofficial app. Use at your own risk.

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