Meta is pulling the Facebook Messenger app from the Apple Watch

2 min readUpdated May 30, 2025May 12, 20236:44 AM

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After this month is over, Meta is pulling the Facebook Messenger app from the Apple Watch. Starting on June 1st, Apple Watch users can no longer send or receive messages using the app. The news got out after some users of the wearable spotted a notification on the Apple Watch Messenger app titled “Changes to Messenger on Apple Watch.” The notification said, “After May 31st, Messenger won’t be available as an Apple Watch app, but you can still get Messenger notifications on your watch.”

A Facebook spokesperson confirmed the news and pointed out that those who want to send and receive messages using Facebook Messenger can still do so via the iPhone app, through their desktop, or by using the website. For some reason, Meta hasn’t shared this decision with many and it has yet to release a public statement. Apple is expected to release watchOS 10 in September, focusing on widgets instead of third-party apps.

As for the reasoning behind the move by Meta, some have been guessing that the decision to pull the Facebook Messenger app from the Apple Watch came about because time spent on the Apple Watch app resulted in less time spent using the iOS Facebook Messenger app. And that is important since it meant fewer Messenger subscribers would be exposed to ads. So if you guessed that Meta’s decision was made over money, you certainly might be right.

I also remember back in the day when Facebook had special integration so that you could make posts and upload photos directly without having to open the app. Obviously this meant people didn’t need to open the app as much, and that meant less ads, so they removed it.”

If you use the Facebook Messenger app on your Apple Watch, you have less than three weeks to enjoy using it unless Meta changes your heart. Since its decision to eliminate the Apple Watch app might have to do with money, please don’t hold your breath hoping for Meta to reverse its decision.

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Questions & Answers

When will the Facebook Messenger app stop working on the Apple Watch?

The Facebook Messenger app will no longer be available on the Apple Watch starting from June 1st. Users will not be able to send or receive messages via the app after May 31st.

Will users still get Messenger notifications on their Apple Watch?

Yes, users will still be able to receive Messenger notifications on their Apple Watch. The change only affects the ability to use the app for sending and receiving messages directly.

How can users send and receive Facebook Messenger messages after the Apple Watch app is removed?

Users can continue to send and receive Facebook Messenger messages through the iPhone app. Other options include using the desktop application or the Facebook Messenger website.

What is the suspected reason for Meta's decision to remove the Apple Watch app?

Some speculate that Meta's decision was made because less time spent on the Apple Watch app meant more time using the iOS Messenger app. This could expose more Messenger subscribers to advertisements.

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