TL;DR
Meta has decided to discontinue Horizon Workrooms as a standalone app, with the change taking effect on February 16, 2026. Horizon Workrooms was introduced by Mark Zuckerberg shortly before Facebook rebranded to Meta and was positioned as a virtual collaboration space for workers.
What happened
Meta notified users that it will discontinue Horizon Workrooms as a standalone application, effective February 16, 2026. The announcement was presented as a company decision to end the standalone Workrooms product; the source paraphrases the company note stating the discontinuation date. Horizon Workrooms had been introduced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg two months before Facebook’s rebrand to “Meta” and was billed as a virtual space designed to let workers meet and collaborate. The available source material does not provide further operational details, such as migration plans, user timelines, feature retention, or explanations for the move. The report relays the effective shutdown date and the product’s original positioning but does not include additional context about how Meta will handle existing Workrooms users or any successor offerings.
Why it matters
- Meta will stop offering Horizon Workrooms as a standalone app beginning February 16, 2026, affecting anyone relying on that specific product.
- The product was introduced by Mark Zuckerberg shortly before the company rebranded to Meta and represented the company's push into virtual workplace software.
- Details about how this change affects users, data, or integrations are not confirmed in the source.
- Whether this signals a broader strategic shift in Meta’s metaverse initiatives is not confirmed in the source.
Key facts
- Product affected: Horizon Workrooms, Meta’s virtual workspace app.
- Meta announced it will discontinue Workrooms as a standalone app.
- Effective date for the discontinuation: February 16, 2026.
- Mark Zuckerberg introduced Horizon Workrooms two months before Facebook changed its name to 'Meta.'
- Horizon Workrooms was envisioned as a virtual space for workers to collaborate.
- The report with this information was published on January 16, 2026.
- Information about reasons for the shutdown, alternative offerings, or user transition plans is not confirmed in the source.
What to watch next
- Whether Meta will move Workrooms features into other products or platforms: not confirmed in the source.
- What guidance Meta will provide for existing Workrooms users about data export, account transitions, or timelines: not confirmed in the source.
- Any official explanation from Meta about the reason for discontinuing the standalone app: not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Horizon Workrooms: Meta’s virtual workspace application designed to let people meet and collaborate in a digital environment.
- Standalone app: A software application that operates independently, rather than being embedded within or dependent on another service.
- Metaverse: A broad term for interconnected virtual environments and immersive digital spaces accessed through the internet and related devices.
- Rebrand: The process by which a company changes its name, image, or public identity.
Reader FAQ
Is Horizon Workrooms being shut down?
Yes. Meta announced it will discontinue Workrooms as a standalone app effective February 16, 2026.
Who introduced Horizon Workrooms?
According to the source, Mark Zuckerberg introduced Horizon Workrooms two months before the company rebranded to 'Meta.'
Why is Meta shutting down Workrooms?
Not confirmed in the source.
What will happen to existing Workrooms users and their data?
Not confirmed in the source.
Two months before it changed its name to "Meta," Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg personally introduced us to his metaverse for work: Horizon Workrooms, envisioned as a virtual space for workers…
Sources
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