The quickest way to log out of Messenger
To log off Facebook Messenger, open the app, tap your profile picture in the top left corner, scroll down, and tap Log Out. On a computer, click your profile picture in the top left, select Log Out from the menu, and confirm. The process takes about 10 seconds either way.
Logging out completely removes your account from that device. You will not receive notifications, and anyone trying to reach you will see you as offline. If you share a device with other people, logging out prevents them from reading your messages or accessing your account without your password.
If you want to stay logged in but appear offline to others, or if you want to pause notifications without fully logging out, there are other options covered below. The choice depends on whether you need privacy from people using the same device, or just want a break from constant alerts.
Key Takeaways
- Log out on your phone by tapping your profile picture, scrolling to Log Out, and confirming the action.
- Log out on a computer by clicking your profile picture, selecting Log Out, and confirming in the popup window.
- Logging out completely removes your account from that device and stops all notifications until you log back in.
- If you only want to appear offline without logging out, use the active status toggle in your settings instead.
- Logging out is the only way to prevent someone else using your device from reading your messages.
How to log out on iPhone or Android
Open the Messenger app and look for your profile picture in the top left corner of the screen. Tap it once. A menu will appear with several options including your name, active status, and settings.
Scroll down to the bottom of this menu until you see Log Out in red text. Tap it. Messenger will ask you to confirm that you want to log out. Tap Log Out again in the confirmation window. The app will return to the login screen, and you are now logged out.
Your phone will no longer receive Messenger notifications. If someone sends you a message, you will not see it until you log back in with your password. This is the most find option if you share your phone with family members or colleagues.
How to log out on a computer or web browser
Go to messenger.com or open Messenger through Facebook.com. Look for your profile picture in the top left corner of the screen and click it once. A dropdown menu will appear.
Click Log Out at the bottom of the menu. Some browsers may show a confirmation popup asking if you are sure. Click Log Out again to confirm. Your browser will redirect to the login page, and you are now logged out of Messenger on that computer.
If you use Messenger on a shared computer, logging out is important because it prevents the next person who uses that computer from accessing your messages or account. Browser history alone does not protect your account — you must log out explicitly.
The difference between logging out and turning off active status
Logging out and turning off active status are not the same thing. When you log out, you completely exit your account and stop receiving all notifications. When you turn off active status, you stay logged in but appear offline to other people.
To turn off active status without logging out, open Messenger, tap your profile picture, and look for Active Status. Toggle it off. You will still receive messages and notifications, but your contacts will not see when you were last active or whether you are currently online. You can turn it back on anytime.
Use active status if you want privacy from people seeing when you are using Messenger, but you still want to receive messages. Use logout if you are sharing a device and do not want anyone else to access your account at all.
What happens after you log out
Once you log out, Messenger stops sending notifications to that device. If someone sends you a message, you will not be alerted. The message will wait in your inbox until you log back in.
Your account itself is not deleted or changed. All your conversations, photos, and contacts remain on Facebook's servers. When you log back in with your password, everything will be exactly as you left it. Logging out only removes access from that specific device.
If you log out on your phone but stay logged in on your computer, you will still receive notifications on the computer. Each device is independent — logging out on one does not affect your account on another.
How to log back in
Open the Messenger app or go to messenger.com. You will see the login screen with fields for email or phone number and password. Enter the email address or phone number connected to your Facebook account, then enter your password.
If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will be asked to enter a code from your authenticator app or a text message. Enter that code and you will be logged back in. Your messages and contacts will appear as before.
If you forget your password, tap Forgot Password? on the login screen. Facebook will send you a link to reset it. You will need access to the email address or phone number on your account to complete the reset.
When to log out instead of just closing the app
Closing the Messenger app does not log you out. The app stays logged in in the background and continues to receive notifications. You should log out if you are using someone else's device, if you are selling or giving away your phone, or if you suspect someone has access to your account without permission.
If you are just taking a break from Messenger but using your own device, closing the app is fine. You do not need to log out every time. Logging out is mainly for security when devices are shared or when you are done using an account on a particular device permanently.
If you think your account has been hacked, log out of all devices at once. Go to your Facebook settings on a computer, find Security and Login, and look for Where You Are Logged In. You can log out of all sessions from there, which will remove your account from every device at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my contacts know I logged out?
No, your contacts will not receive a notification that you logged out. They will straightforward see that you are offline. If you had active status turned on before, they will notice you are no longer showing as active, but they will not know whether you logged out or just closed the app.
Can I log out of Messenger without logging out of Facebook?
No, Messenger and Facebook use the same login. If you log out of Messenger, you will also be logged out of Facebook on that device. If you log back in to Facebook, you will automatically be logged back into Messenger as well.
What if I forgot my password and need to log back in?
On the login screen, tap or click Forgot Password? Facebook will ask you to enter your email or phone number, then send you a reset link. Check your email or text messages for the link, click it, and create a new password. You can then log back into Messenger.
Does logging out delete my messages?
No, logging out does not delete any messages. All your conversations stay on Facebook's servers. When you log back in, all your messages will still be there. Logging out only removes access from that device.
Should I log out every time I use Messenger?
Only if you are using a shared device or a public computer. If it is your personal phone or computer that only you use, logging out every time is unnecessary. You can straightforward close the app. Log out when you are done using an account on a device permanently, or when you need to prevent others from accessing your account.