The quickest way to log out of Facebook

To log out of Facebook on a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of any Facebook page, then select "Log out" from the menu that appears. On a phone or tablet, open the Facebook app, tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down, and tap "Log Out". The process takes about five seconds either way.

If you are using a web browser on your phone instead of the app, the steps are the same as on a computer: look for the menu icon in the top right corner of the page, find "Log out", and tap it. You will be returned to the Facebook login screen, which confirms you have successfully logged out.

After you log out, your account remains active and your information stays on Facebook's servers. Logging out straightforward ends your current session — the next time you visit Facebook or open the app, you will need to enter your password again.

Key Takeaways

  • On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner and select "Log out" from the dropdown menu.
  • On the Facebook app for phones and tablets, tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right, scroll to find "Log Out", and tap it.
  • Logging out ends your current session but does not delete your account or remove your information from Facebook.
  • If you want to permanently remove your account instead of just logging out, you will need to use Facebook's delete or deactivate options, which are separate processes.

Logging out on a computer or laptop

Open Facebook in your web browser and look at the top right corner of the page. You will see a small downward-pointing arrow or your profile picture. Click on it to open a dropdown menu with several options.

In that menu, scroll down until you see "Log out" near the bottom. Click it once. Facebook will when ready log you out and take you to the login page, where you will see the login form again. This confirms the logout was successful.

If you are using a shared computer, logging out is important because it prevents the next person who uses that computer from accessing your account without a password. Even if you close the browser window without logging out, someone could reopen the browser and still be logged in as you.

Logging out on the Facebook mobile app

Open the Facebook app on your phone or tablet. At the bottom of the screen, you will see a row of icons. On most phones, the rightmost icon is three horizontal lines stacked on top of each other — this is the menu icon. Tap it.

A menu will slide up or appear on your screen with many options. Scroll down through this menu until you find "Log Out" near the bottom. Tap it once. The app will close your session and return you to the login screen.

On some older versions of the Facebook app, the menu icon might be in a different location or labeled differently. If you cannot find a three-line menu icon, look for an icon that looks like a person or a gear symbol, which typically opens settings where you can also find the logout option.

Logging out on a mobile web browser

If you use Facebook through a web browser on your phone rather than the app, the logout process is the same as on a computer. Tap the menu icon in the top right corner of the Facebook page — this is usually three horizontal lines or a downward arrow next to your profile picture.

Tap "Log out" from the menu that appears. You will be taken back to the login page, confirming that you have logged out successfully. This method works on any phone browser, including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge.

What happens after you log out

Once you log out, your Facebook account is still active and all your information remains stored on Facebook's servers. Your posts, photos, messages, and friends list are unchanged. Logging out straightforward ends your current login session — it does not delete anything or make your account inactive.

The next time you visit Facebook or open the app, you will see the login screen. You will need to enter your email address or phone number and your password to log back in. If you have saved your login information in your browser or phone settings, Facebook may offer to fill in your email automatically, but you will still need to enter your password.

If you want to prevent Facebook from remembering your login information on a shared device, you can uncheck the "Keep me logged in" option before you log in. This way, you will need to enter your full login details every time you visit Facebook on that device.

Logging out from all devices at once

If you want to log out of Facebook on all your devices simultaneously, you can do this through your account settings. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, select "Settings & privacy", then click "Settings". On the left side, click "Security and login".

Scroll down to find "Where you're logged in" or "Active sessions". You will see a list of all devices and browsers where you are currently logged into Facebook. Click "Log out of all sessions" or select individual devices and click "Log out" next to each one. This will when ready end your Facebook session on every device.

This feature is useful if you think someone else may have accessed your account, or if you have lost a phone or tablet and want to make sure no one can use it to access your Facebook account.

Difference between logging out and deactivating your account

Logging out and deactivating your account are two completely different actions. When you log out, you straightforward end your current session — your account stays active and visible to other people. When you deactivate your account, Facebook temporarily hides your profile, posts, and messages from other users, though your account can be reactivated later by logging back in.

If you want to permanently remove your account instead of just logging out or deactivating it, you can request account deletion through Facebook's settings. This process takes about 30 days, during which your account is in a deletion queue. After 30 days, Facebook permanently deletes your information, though some data may remain in their backup systems for a longer period.

For most people who straightforward want to step away from Facebook temporarily, logging out is sufficient. You can log back in anytime by entering your password. If you want a longer break without deleting your account, deactivation is the middle option. Deletion is only necessary if you want to remove your account entirely.

Troubleshooting logout problems

If the logout button does not appear or does not work, try refreshing the page and looking for the menu icon again. Sometimes a slow internet connection or a browser glitch can prevent the menu from loading properly. Close the browser tab completely and open Facebook again in a new tab.

If you are using the Facebook app and cannot find the logout option, check that you are using the official Facebook app from your device's app store, not a third-party app. Third-party apps sometimes have different layouts or may not include all Facebook features. You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the official app if the logout option is missing.

If you are locked out of your account or cannot log out because you forgot your password, go to the Facebook login page and click "Forgotten password?" You will be asked to enter your email address or phone number, and Facebook will send you a link to reset your password. Once you reset it, you can log in and then log out normally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does logging out delete my Facebook account?

No. Logging out only ends your current session. Your account, posts, photos, and messages all remain on Facebook. The next time you log in with your password, everything will be exactly as you left it.

Will my friends see that I logged out?

No. Logging out is a private action that only you can see. Your friends will not receive a notification, and your status will not change. They may still see you as active or online depending on your privacy settings, but they will not know you have logged out.

Can I log out of Facebook on one device without logging out on others?

Yes. When you log out on one device, you remain logged in on all other devices. If you want to log out everywhere at once, use the "Where you're logged in" section in your settings to end all sessions simultaneously.

What should I do if I cannot remember my password after logging out?

Go to the Facebook login page and click "Forgotten password?" Enter your email address or phone number, and Facebook will send you a reset link. Click the link, create a new password, and you can log back in.

Is it safe to stay logged in on a public computer?

No. On a public or shared computer, you should always log out when you are finished. If you do not log out, the next person who uses that computer can access your account without needing your password. Always log out before leaving a public computer.