Facebook appears to be developing an official Messenger desktop app for Mac, according to a leaked image obtained by TechCrunch revealing a Facebook employee using what looks like an official Facebook Messenger client on a Mac.
The leaked image may be proof that the social media giant is working on a new way for Mac users to easily access its Messenger service directly from the OS X dock – as opposed to opening the service on a web browser.
A desktop app would certainly make it more convenient for users to access the Messenger client and there has definitely been enough demand for the feature.
The leaked photo obtained by TechCrunch of a Facebook employee on what appears to be a Messenger app for Mac.
The photo shows a navigation bar with the same options as those found on the iOS mobile app, including Recent, Groups, People, and Settings, suggesting that the app in the photo is official and not some third-party version.
The TechCrunch report, by Josh Constine, said:
“It’s unclear but seemingly unlikely that Facebook would require users to chat via the desktop software instead of the website. We have no information about when or even if Facebook might release Messenger For Mac.
“The company often builds and internally tests apps that never ship. Still, this app seems like a smart move. Slack has proven people enjoy a dedicated desktop app for messaging. It could help Facebook box out competitors like Google, WeChat, Line, Kik, and KakaoTalk.”
Facebook frequently tests products that are never actually released and it is important to note that there’s been no official word from the company regarding a desktop app for Mac.
A company spokesperson “declined to comment on rumor or speculation”, but Josh Constine said that is “the same boiler plate response” he has received in the past when his sources were correct.