Facebook Messenger app arrives on Windows, macOS: What it can do

(Image credit: Facebook)

Facebook Messenger has spiked in usage over the last month (by more than 100%) along with every other major video chat app, but the company today addressed one of the shortcomings of its service by adding a standalone Messenger app for Windows 10 and macOS (via Windows Central).

The new app will let users make unlimited video calls to individuals or groups and add the familiar text chat functionality. This is obviously excellent timing, but the app has been in the works for over a year now, so let's take a look at the features the social media giant is bringing to desktop.

Facebook Messenger for desktop features

The standalone app makes it much easier to multitask because the service is no longer one of the numerous browser tabs you might have open. Otherwise, the desktop app mostly delivers everything from the mobile app. 

As we mentioned, the basics handling group video calls on your desktop are there with the same support for up to eight participants on a call. Naturally, this will also sync with your existing chats on the mobile apps, so you can pick up your conversations wherever it's convenient for you. 

Text chatting has the same support for emojis, sharing files, photos, or videos with your friends. There is still no screen sharing option, but given the family and friend focus, we're not all too surprised. 

(Image credit: Facebook)

The desktop app also picks up the dark mode option. 

You can download the desktop app right now from the Microsoft Store or macOS App Store.

Sean Riley

Sean Riley has been covering tech professionally for over a decade now. Most of that time was as a freelancer covering varied topics including phones, wearables, tablets, smart home devices, laptops, AR, VR, mobile payments, fintech, and more.  Sean is the resident mobile expert at Laptop Mag, specializing in phones and wearables, you'll find plenty of news, reviews, how-to, and opinion pieces on these subjects from him here. But Laptop Mag has also proven a perfect fit for that broad range of interests with reviews and news on the latest laptops, VR games, and computer accessories along with coverage on everything from NFTs to cybersecurity and more.