Why you might want to download the old version of Messenger and how to do it
How to Download the Old Version of Messenger
Facebook Messenger is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 1.3 billion monthly active users. However, not everyone is happy with the latest updates and changes that Facebook has made to its app. Some users may prefer the old version of Messenger for various reasons, such as nostalgia, simplicity, performance, or compatibility. If you are one of them, you may wonder how to download and install the old version of Messenger on your device.
download the old version of messenger
In this article, we will show you why you may want to download the old version of Messenger, what are the risks and drawbacks of doing so, how to backup your Messenger data before downloading the old version, and how to install the old version of Messenger on different devices. Follow our guide and enjoy using the old version of Messenger again.
Why Would You Want to Download the Old Version of Messenger?
There are many reasons why you may want to download the old version of Messenger instead of using the latest one. Here are some of them:
You don't like the new design and layout of the app, which may look cluttered, confusing, or distracting.
You don't need or want some of the new features that Facebook has added to the app, such as chat themes, selfie stickers, vanish mode, or watch together.
You find the new version of the app too slow, buggy, or crashing on your device, especially if you have an older or low-end device.
You have privacy or security concerns about the new version of the app, which may ask for more permissions or collect more data than before.
You want to use some features that were removed or changed in the new version of the app, such as chat heads, swipe gestures, or dark mode.
However, before you decide to download the old version of Messenger, you should also be aware of some risks and drawbacks that come with it. Here are some of them:
You may not be able to use some features that are only available in the new version of the app, such as voice and video calls, group chats, reactions, or stickers.
You may not be able to communicate with some users who are using the new version of the app, as they may not receive or send messages properly.
You may expose your device and data to potential threats, such as viruses, malware, or hackers, especially if you download the old version of the app from untrusted sources.
You may violate Facebook's terms of service or policies, which may result in your account being suspended or banned.
You may miss out on important updates and fixes that Facebook releases for its app regularly.
How to Backup Your Messenger Data Before Downloading the Old Version
If you decide to download and install the old version of Messenger on your device, you should first backup your Messenger data to avoid losing any important information or messages. Depending on your device type and operating system, there are different ways to backup your Messenger data. Here are some steps to follow:
How to Backup Your Messenger Data on Android Devices
If you have an Android device, you can use the Download Your Information tool in Facebook's settings to request and download a copy of your information from Messenger. Here's how to do it:
Open the Facebook app on your Android device and tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner.
Scroll down and tap on Settings & Privacy, then tap on Settings.
Scroll down and tap on Download Your Information under Your Facebook Information.
Select the data you want to download, such as Messages, Photos, Videos, etc. You can also choose the date range, format, and quality of your download.
Tap on Create File to request your download. You will receive a notification when your file is ready to download.
Tap on Download to download your file. You may need to enter your password to confirm your identity.
Save your file to a secure location on your device or cloud storage.
How to Backup Your Messenger Data on iOS Devices
If you have an iOS device, you can use the iCloud backup feature to backup your Messenger data along with other data on your device. Here's how to do it:
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Make sure you have enough iCloud storage space for your backup. You can check your storage by going to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage.
Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network and plug it into a power source.
Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud and turn on iCloud Backup.
Tap on Back Up Now to start the backup process. You can check the progress and confirm the backup by going to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
Keep your device connected to Wi-Fi until the backup is complete.
How to Backup Your Messenger Data on Windows or Mac Computers
If you use Messenger on your Windows or Mac computer, you can use the Facebook website to download a copy of your information from Messenger. Here's how to do it:
Open a web browser and go to https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=your_facebook_information.
Click on Download Your Information under Your Facebook Information.
Select the data you want to download, such as Messages, Photos, Videos, etc. You can also choose the date range, format, and quality of your download.
Click on Create File to request your download. You will receive an email when your file is ready to download.
Click on Download to download your file. You may need to enter your password to confirm your identity.
Save your file to a secure location on your computer or cloud storage.
How to Install the Old Version of Messenger on Different Devices
Once you have backed up your Messenger data, you can proceed to install the old version of Messenger on your device. Depending on your device type and operating system, there are different ways to install the old version of Messenger. Here are some methods to try:
How to Install the Old Version of Messenger on Android Devices
If you have an Android device, you can use one of these methods to install the old version of Messenger:
Using APK files from reliable sources
An APK file is an Android application package file that contains all the files and code needed to install an app on an Android device. You can find and download APK files for older versions of Messenger from reliable sources online, such as APKMirror, APKPure, or Uptodown. Here's how to use this method:
Find and download an APK file for the old version of Messenger that you want from a reliable source. Make sure the file is compatible with your device and operating system.
Go to Settings > Security (or Privacy) and enable Unknown Sources (or Install Unknown Apps) to allow installation of apps from sources other than Google Play Store.
Locate the downloaded APK file on your device and tap on it to start the installation process. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
Disable Unknown Sources (or Install Unknown Apps) after installing the app for security reasons.
Using App Downloader tools from Google Play Store
An App Downloader tool is an app that allows you to download older versions of other apps from Google Play Store. You can find and download App Downloader tools from Google Play Store, such as App Downloader - Download APKs for Old Versions, App Downloader - Get Older Versions of Apps, or App Downloader - Download Old Versions of Apps. Here's how to use this method:
Download and install an App Downloader tool from Google Play Store on your device.
Open the App Downloader tool and search for Messenger in the app list.
Select the old version of Messenger that you want to download and tap on Download.
Wait for the download to finish and tap on Install to install the app on your device.
How to Install the Old Version of Messenger on iOS Devices
If you have an iOS device, you can use one of these methods to install the old version of Messenger:
Using App Downloader tools from App Store
An App Downloader tool is an app that allows you to download older versions of other apps from App Store. You can find and download App Downloader tools from App Store, such as App Downloader - Download Old Versions of Apps, App Downloader - Get Older Versions of Apps, or App Downloader - Download APKs for Old Versions. Here's how to use this method:
Download and install an App Downloader tool from App Store on your device.
Open the App Downloader tool and search for Messenger in the app list.
Select the old version of Messenger that you want to download and tap on Download.
Wait for the download to finish and tap on Install to install the app on your device.
Using iTunes or Finder to restore previous versions
If you have a Mac or Windows computer with iTunes or Finder installed, you can use it to restore previous versions of Messenger that you have downloaded before. Here's how to use this method:
Connect your device to your computer with a USB cable and open iTunes or Finder.
Select your device from the sidebar and click on Apps under Settings.
Find Messenger in the app list and click on Remove or Delete.
Click on Apply or Sync to remove the app from your device.
Find the old version of Messenger that you want to install in your iTunes or Finder library and drag it to your device in the sidebar.
Click on Apply or Sync to install the app on your device.
How to Install the Old Version of Messenger on Windows or Mac Computers
If you use Messenger on your Windows or Mac computer, you can use one of these methods to install the old version of Messenger:
Using Uptodown website to download older versions
Uptodown is a website that offers older versions of various apps for Windows and Mac computers. You can find and download older versions of Messenger from Uptodown website, such as Messenger 2.1.4814, Messenger 2.0.9, or Messenger 1.5. Here's how to use this method:
Go to https://en.uptodown.com/windows/search/facebook-messenger in your web browser.
Select the old version of Messenger that you want to download and click on Download.
Wait for the download to finish and run the installer file to install the app on your computer.
Using Facebook website to access Messenger online
If you don't want to download or install any app on your computer, you can also use Facebook website to access Messenger online. This way, you can use an older version of Messenger that is compatible with your web browser. Here's how to use this method:
Go to https://www.facebook.com/messages in your web browser.
Login with your Facebook account if prompted.
Enjoy using Messenger online with an older version.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to download and install the old version of Messenger on different devices. We have also explained why you may want to do so, what are the risks and drawbacks of doing so, and how to backup your Messenger data before doing so. We hope you have found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use both the old and new versions of Messenger on my device?
A: No, you can only use one version of Messenger at a time on your device. If you want to switch between versions, you will need to uninstall one version and install another one.
Q: How can I update my old version of Messenger if I want to?
A: If you want to update your old version of Messenger, you can go to Google Play Store, App Store, or Uptodown website and download the latest version of Messenger. Alternatively, you can also use Facebook website to access Messenger online with the latest version.
Q: How can I restore my Messenger data if I lose it after installing the old version?
A: If you have backed up your Messenger data before installing the old version, you can restore it by using the same method that you used to backup your data. For example, if you used the Download Your Information tool, you can go to Facebook's settings and upload your file to restore your data. If you used the iCloud backup feature, you can go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups and choose a backup to restore your data.
Q: How can I avoid getting banned or suspended by Facebook for using the old version of Messenger?
A: There is no guarantee that Facebook will not ban or suspend your account for using the old version of Messenger, as it may violate their terms of service or policies. However, you can try to avoid getting banned or suspended by following these tips:
Do not use the old version of Messenger for illegal or malicious activities, such as spamming, phishing, or harassing other users.
Do not use the old version of Messenger to access or share content that is prohibited by Facebook, such as nudity, violence, hate speech, or misinformation.
Do not use the old version of Messenger to impersonate or deceive other users, such as using fake names, photos, or profiles.
Do not use the old version of Messenger to interfere with Facebook's services or systems, such as hacking, crashing, or modifying the app.
Q: How can I protect my device and data from potential threats when using the old version of Messenger?
A: There are some steps that you can take to protect your device and data from potential threats when using the old version of Messenger. Here are some of them:
Only download and install the old version of Messenger from reliable sources, such as APKMirror, APKPure, Uptodown, App Store, or Google Play Store.
Scan the downloaded file with a reputable antivirus or malware scanner before installing it on your device.
Update your device's operating system and security software regularly to fix any vulnerabilities or bugs.
Use a strong password and two-factor authentication for your Facebook account and device.
Do not click on suspicious links or attachments that may be sent to you via Messenger.
Do not share your personal or financial information with anyone via Messenger.
Q: How can I contact Facebook's support team if I have any issues or questions about using the old version of Messenger?
A: If you have any issues or questions about using the old version of Messenger, you can contact Facebook's support team by using one of these methods:
Go to https://www.facebook.com/help/messenger-app and browse through the help topics and FAQs.
Go to https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/169486816475808 and fill out a form to report a problem with Messenger.
Go to https://www.facebook.com/help/community and post a question or comment in the community forum.