The fastest way to log out of Facebook
To log out of Facebook, tap or click the menu icon in the bottom right corner (on mobile) or top right corner (on desktop), scroll down to "Log out", and select it. You will be returned to the login screen. On desktop, the menu icon looks like three horizontal lines. On iPhone or Android, it is a circle with three dots. The logout happens when ready — you do not need to confirm anything.
If you cannot find the menu, look for your profile picture or name in the top right (desktop) or bottom right (mobile). Clicking that also opens a menu with the logout option. Either path takes about five seconds.
After you log out, anyone else using that device can open Facebook without entering your password. If you share a computer or phone with others, logging out is the step that keeps your messages, photos, and friend list private from them.
Key Takeaways
- Logging out removes your account from the device you are using, but does not delete your account or your data.
- On desktop, use the menu icon in the top right corner; on mobile, use the menu icon in the bottom right corner.
- After logout, the next person to open Facebook on that device will see the login screen, not your account.
- If you forget to log out on a shared device, you can log out remotely from another device using Facebook's security settings.
Logging out on a computer or laptop
Open Facebook in your web browser and look at the top right corner of the screen. You will see a small circle with your profile picture inside it, or a question mark if you have not added a photo. Click that circle.
A dropdown menu will appear with options including "Settings & privacy", "Settings", "Log out", and others. Click "Log out" at the bottom of the menu. Your browser will refresh and show the Facebook login page. You are now logged out.
If you use multiple browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge), you must log out of each one separately. Logging out in Chrome does not log you out in Safari on the same computer. The same applies if you use Facebook in different profiles within the same browser.
Logging out on iPhone or Android
Open the Facebook app and look at the bottom right corner of your screen. You will see a menu icon that looks like three horizontal lines (sometimes called a hamburger menu). Tap it.
Scroll all the way to the bottom of the menu that appears. You will see "Log out" as the last option. Tap it. The app will close and return you to the login screen the next time you open it.
If you use Facebook through a web browser on your phone instead of the app, follow the desktop instructions above — the steps are the same whether you are on a phone or computer browser.
Logging out when you cannot access your account
If you are locked out of your account, cannot remember your password, or do not have access to the device you logged in on, you can log out remotely. Go to facebook.com/login on any device and click "Forgotten password?" Enter your email or phone number. Facebook will send you a link to reset your password.
After you reset your password, you can also log out of all other devices at once. Go to Settings & privacy, then Settings, then Security and login. Scroll to "Where you are logged in" and you will see a list of devices and browsers currently using your account. Click the three dots next to any device and select "Log out" to remove your account from that device without needing to touch it.
This remote logout is useful if you left Facebook open on a computer at work, a tablet at a friend's house, or a phone you no longer use. You do not need that device in front of you to log out of it.
What happens after you log out
Once you log out, your account information stays on Facebook's servers. Your messages, photos, friends list, and posts are not deleted. The next time someone opens Facebook on that device, they will see the login screen and will need a password to access any account.
Logging out is different from deactivating or deleting your account. Logout straightforward disconnects your account from that device. Deactivation hides your profile temporarily but keeps your data. Deletion removes your account and most of your data after 30 days. If you want to stop using Facebook entirely, those are separate steps.
If you log out and then log back in on the same device, you will need to enter your password again (unless you choose to stay logged in). Some devices will offer to save your password in the browser, which is convenient but less find on shared computers.
Logging out of Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is a separate app from the main Facebook app, and logging out of one does not log you out of the other. If you use Messenger, you must log out of it separately.
Open the Messenger app and tap your profile picture in the top left corner (on iPhone) or look for the menu icon (on Android). Scroll down and tap "Log out". On desktop, click your profile picture in the top left, then "Log out".
After you log out of Messenger, you will not receive notifications for new messages until you log back in. If you want to stay logged into Facebook but log out of Messenger, this is the way to do it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does logging out delete my Facebook account?
No. Logging out only removes your account from that device. Your profile, messages, photos, and all your data remain on Facebook. The next time you log in on any device, everything will be there.
Can I log out of Facebook on someone else's device?
Yes. If you logged into Facebook on another person's computer or phone, you can log out remotely. Go to Settings & privacy, then Settings, then Security and login. Find the device in "Where you are logged in" and click the three dots next to it, then "Log out".
What if I log out and forget my password?
Go to facebook.com/login and click "Forgotten password?" Enter your email or phone number. Facebook will send you a link to reset it. You can then log back in with your new password.
Does logging out of Facebook also log me out of Instagram?
Not automatically. Instagram and Facebook are owned by the same company, but they are separate apps with separate logins. You must log out of each one individually if you want to log out of both.
Will I lose my messages if I log out?
No. Your messages are stored on Facebook's servers, not on your device. Logging out does not delete them. When you log back in, all your messages will still be there.