- Home
- Encrypted Messaging Apps
- Messenger
Messenger
Menlo Park, California, United States
What it is
Messenger is Meta’s free messaging app for chatting, calling, sharing, and building communities. People can message and call friends and family on Facebook and Messenger without needing a phone number. It supports voice and video calls, high-definition photos, animated stickers, GIFs, reactions, and chat themes. Stories photos and videos, along with shared Notes, disappear after 24 hours; a sent message can be edited for up to 15 minutes. Meta AI can answer questions, offer advice, and help with homework, though it is available only in select languages and countries. Meta says personal messages are becoming end-to-end encrypted by default, protecting message and call content in transit from being seen or heard by Meta. Encrypted chat history can be saved in secure storage and accessed with a six-digit PIN or a key stored in Google Drive or iCloud. Disappearing messages are available only in end-to-end encrypted conversations and last 24 hours. Messenger is available on Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows.
For and against
For
- Free app for messaging and calls.
- Voice and video calls are supported.
- Messages can be edited for up to 15 minutes.
- Encrypted chat history can use secure storage.
- Available on Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows.
Against
- Meta AI is available only in select languages and countries.
- Disappearing messages require end-to-end encrypted conversations.
- Stories and shared Notes disappear after 24 hours.
The verdict
Messenger combines messaging, calls, media sharing, and several ways to manage conversations. Meta says personal messages are becoming encrypted by default; disappearing messages are limited to end-to-end encrypted conversations.
Who it suits
Messenger may suit people who want to chat and call Facebook and Messenger contacts without sharing a phone number. It may also fit users looking for sharing features and encrypted conversations, while noting that Meta AI is limited to select languages and countries.
Plans and prices
Messenger
Free messaging app
Read 8 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
On the record
- AI assistant
- Meta AI can answer questions, give advice, and help with homework, and is available only in select languages and countries.play.google.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Chat and calls
- Messenger lets people chat and call friends and family on Facebook and Messenger without needing a phone number.play.google.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Company
- The Messenger app is published by Meta Platforms, Inc.play.google.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Desktop apps
- Meta announced Messenger apps for Windows and macOS with free group video calls, notifications, and chats synced across mobile and desktop.about.fb.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Developer resources
- Meta provides a Messenger for Developers resource from its Messenger product page.meta.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Editing messages
- People can edit a sent message for up to 15 minutes.about.fb.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Encrypted chat limit
- Disappearing messages are available only in end-to-end encrypted conversations and last 24 hours after sending.about.fb.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Encrypted chat storage
- Encrypted chat history can be saved in secure storage and accessed with a six-digit PIN or a key stored in Google Drive or iCloud.about.fb.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- Meta says Messenger personal messages are becoming end-to-end encrypted by default, protecting message and call content so Meta cannot see or listen to it in transit.about.fb.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Photos and expression
- Messenger supports high-definition photos, animated stickers, GIFs, reactions, and chat themes.play.google.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Messenger is a free messaging app for staying in touch, exploring interests, building communities, and sharing.play.google.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Stories and Notes
- Stories photos and videos and shared Notes disappear after 24 hours.play.google.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- Meta’s Messenger site links to a Help Centre, business resources, developer resources, and privacy and safety information.meta.com · read 8 Oct 2026
