Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has announced that its popular Facebook Messenger app for Apple Watch will no longer be available after May 31st. While users will still receive message notifications, the option to respond directly from the Apple Watch will be removed. The company did not provide a specific reason for the discontinuation but directed users to access Messenger on their iPhone, desktop, or web browser instead.
The Messenger app was introduced for Apple Watch in 2015, allowing users to send audio clips, stickers, and other quick responses directly from their wrists. However, the app’s limited functionality and the company’s recent cost-cutting measures, which include significant layoffs, likely contributed to the decision. Many well-known companies have abandoned their Apple Watch apps in the past, citing low demand or the redundancy of having a separate smartwatch app when users typically rely on their smartphones.
There are rumors that Apple may be reevaluating the purpose of native smartwatch apps, with a potential redesign of watchOS 10 focusing on widgets and quick-glance information rather than full app navigation. Consequently, even current users of Messenger for Apple Watch may find less incentive to continue using the app in the future.
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