Skip to main content

New Facebook Messenger web experience gets an unofficial standalone Mac app

Earlier today Facebook unveiled a dedicated website for its Messenger service, accompanying dedicated apps for the iPhone and iPad. Now, however, a third-party developer has taken that newly unveiled web interface and put it into a dedicated OS X desktop app.

The app is still in its early stages, but most of the base functionalities of Messenger are there. The interface is nearly identical to what you would find on Messenger.com and Facebook’s other Messenger apps. On the left hand side is a list of all your ongoing discussions, while actual message threads are displayed on the right.

As far as bugs go, the ability to upload images is current non-functioning and support for notifications is nowhere to be found. Although team member Josh Puckett says that they are currently working on notifications and badging.

Facebook Messenger for Mac is available as a free download here. Expect updates to come relatively quickly, so be sure to be on the lookout for bug fixes and feature additions.

(via TechCrunch)

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

  1. iSRS - 10 years ago

    Nice job! I’ll have to download tonight. Ideally, though, I would love for this functionality to be built into Messages on OS X and iOS.

    • windlasher - 10 years ago

      Yup!

    • tcb13 - 10 years ago

      Well can can make it work on Mac Messages over Jabber, however it’s not perfect you’re unable to send and receive images / files and it fails in old messages…

    • Andrew Cato - 10 years ago

      That functionality has been in Messages since Messages was iChat.

  2. Andyy Hope (@AndyyHope) - 10 years ago

    Would also love to see window controls, minimize, full screen, close etc….

  3. Mike Sy - 10 years ago

    Doesnt work with me im getting this “Please try again later”

    • Chance Miller - 10 years ago

      It looks like Facebook’s actual Messenger.com website is down right now. I’m not sure why but that explains why the app is currently not working.

  4. andrewxavierthomas - 10 years ago

    I have installed it, and it just has a shiny screen that pops up with links to Facebook and there is not chat window at all… kind of disappointing.

    • Chance Miller - 10 years ago

      It looks like Facebook’s actual Messenger.com website is down right now. I’m not sure why but that explains why the app is currently not working.

  5. Jared (@GunningGunny) - 10 years ago

    Be sure to update/re-download the latest update and drag it into your Applications. It should be working, as I had the same error of please try again later last night.

  6. Robby Grondelle - 10 years ago

    There is already an app out for some time called Goofy and works pretty good.

  7. Brian (@BrianVoll) - 10 years ago

    I’ve been using Facebook Messenger in my default OS X Messages app. What can this app do that Messages doesn’t?

  8. Jon Grant (@jon4009) - 10 years ago

    This really isn’t an app at all. It’s simply a borderless web browser that only connects to messenger.com. You don’t need this app.

Author

Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is the editor-in-chief of 9to5Mac, overseeing the entire site’s operations. He also hosts the 9to5Mac Daily and 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcasts.

You can send tips, questions, and typos to chance@9to5mac.com.

Manage push notifications

notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications
notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications