Since you cannot use the modern Play Store on Gingerbread, follow these manual steps:
If APK installations fail due to "parsing errors" or compatibility issues—a common problem on Gingerbread—the most stable method is using your device’s . messenger android 2.3 6 apk download
This means that if you head to the official Google Play Store on your Gingerbread device, you won't find Facebook Messenger available for direct download. Google Play automatically filters apps based on the system version of your device to prevent compatibility issues. The official recommendation for a smooth and secure experience is to use a modern device, as using older apps carries security risks and lacks critical updates. Since you cannot use the modern Play Store
Once the download is finished, you are ready to install Messenger Lite. The official recommendation for a smooth and secure
Finding a Compatible Messenger APK for Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread