Open Chrome or another browser and navigate to messenger.com . If redirected to the app store, use the "Request Desktop Site" option in your browser menu to access messages directly.
If you cannot get Messenger to work stably, consider these alternatives that still support Android 4.4.4: facebook messenger apk for android 444 install
(released in late 2023) is reported as the last major version to support Android 4.4. Messenger Lite: 334.0.0.10.101 Open Chrome or another browser and navigate to messenger