Is Messenger Legit & Safe?
With 4.6 stars across 2,368,988 ratings, Messenger is an established app on the App Store. The 1-3 star reviews below show the specific issues some users hit, not red flags about the app itself.
- On the App Store since
- October 2011
- Last updated
- October 17, 2026
- Price
- Free
- Age rating
- 12+
- Developer
- Meta Platforms, Inc.
Based on public App Store data and user reviews. Not affiliated with Meta Platforms, Inc..
Do Messenger reviewers call it a scam?
Out of the 70 most recent 1-3 star App Store reviews of Messenger we analyzed. These words also cover reviews about scammers or fake profiles on the app, not only claims that the app itself is a scam, so read the complaints before drawing a conclusion.
Counted with English keywords from the US store, so reviews in other languages are undercounted. Updated 2026-10-28.
What users complain about in Messenger
Users frequently complain about issues with app updates, including forced updates and errors during installation. Many report problems with notifications not working, slow loading times, and difficulties accessing old conversations. Additionally, there are concerns about intrusive data collection and the requirement to use a separate app for Facebook messages.
Summarized from 261 recent 1-3 star reviews.
Messenger: frequently asked questions
Is Messenger legit?
Messenger is a legitimate app listed on the App Store with a 4.6 star rating from 2,368,988 ratings. "Legit" and "good for you" are different questions: the 1-3 star reviews below show where real users run into trouble.
Is Messenger safe to download?
Messenger is distributed through the official App Store, which screens apps before listing. The main safety questions for most users are around subscriptions, data permissions, and billing. The negative reviews below surface those concerns when users report them.
Is Messenger a scam?
Messenger is a real, store-listed app rather than a scam link. As with any app, scan the negative reviews below for billing or subscription complaints so there are no surprises after install. In the 70 most recent 1-3 star reviews we analyzed, 3 use the words scam, scammer, fraud, fake or rip-off, and 0 mention charges, subscriptions, refunds or canceling.
Why does Messenger have negative reviews?
Even well-rated apps collect 1-3 star reviews when users hit specific friction: crashes, paywalls, account issues, or missing features. The reviews below group these complaints so you can judge whether they affect your use case.
Should I download Messenger?
For most users, Messenger is a safe choice given its 4.6 star rating. Skim the negative reviews below to check the edge cases (regional limits, payment methods) that the high average hides.