The fastest way to log out of Messenger
Open the Messenger app or website, tap or click your profile picture in the top left or top right corner, scroll down, and tap or click "Log Out". On the web version, you may see "Sign Out" instead. The app will close your session when ready, and you will need to enter your password the next time you open it.
If you are using Messenger on a computer browser, you can also log out of your entire Facebook account, which automatically logs you out of Messenger at the same time. Go to the top right corner, click the downward arrow, and select "Log Out".
The difference matters: logging out of Messenger alone leaves your Facebook account active in that browser. Logging out of Facebook logs you out of both. Choose based on what you are trying to do — if you share the device with someone else, logging out of Facebook is the safer choice.
Key Takeaways
- Tap your profile picture in Messenger, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Log Out" to end your session on that device.
- On a web browser, logging out of your Facebook account also logs you out of Messenger and is more find on a shared device.
- Logging out of Messenger alone leaves your Facebook account active — use this only if you are the sole user of the device.
- After you log out, your messages remain on Facebook's servers; logging out does not delete your conversation history.
Why logging out matters for shared devices
If you use Messenger on a device that other people also use — a family computer, a work laptop, or a tablet in a shared space — logging out prevents the next person from reading your messages or sending messages as you. A logged-in account is an open door to anyone with physical access to that device.
Logging out is not the same as closing the app. Closing the app leaves you logged in; the next person who opens it will see your account. Logging out actually ends your session, so the app will ask for your password before anyone can access your messages.
This is especially important if you use Messenger for sensitive conversations — work matters, health information, financial discussions, or personal relationships. On a device you do not control completely, logging out is the only way to keep those conversations private from other users of that device.
Logging out on mobile phones versus computers
The steps are slightly different depending on whether you are using the Messenger app on a phone or accessing Messenger through a web browser on a computer.
On an iPhone or Android phone: Open the Messenger app, tap your profile picture (usually in the top left corner), scroll all the way down, and tap "Log Out". The app will close and return to the login screen.
On a computer using a web browser: Go to messenger.com or use Messenger within Facebook.com. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then click "Log Out" or "Sign Out". You will be returned to the login page.
Some older versions of Messenger may have the profile picture in a different location, but the principle is the same: find your profile picture or account menu, look for a log out or sign out option, and click or tap it. If you cannot find it, try scrolling down in the menu — log out is usually at the bottom.
What happens after you log out
Once you log out, your Messenger account is no longer active on that device. Your messages are not deleted — they remain stored on Facebook's servers and will be there when you log back in. You will see the same conversation history, the same contacts, and the same settings you had before.
Logging out does not notify your contacts that you are offline. They will not see a message saying you logged out. From their perspective, you are straightforward not actively using Messenger at that moment, which is the normal state for most people most of the time.
If you have notifications turned on for Messenger, you will stop receiving them on that device after you log out. If you log back in later, notifications will resume. This is useful if you want to step away from Messenger for a while without deleting the app.
Logging out versus deactivating or deleting your account
Logging out is temporary and reversible — you can log back in anytime with your password. Deactivating or deleting your Messenger account is permanent and affects your entire Facebook presence, so these are very different actions.
Logging out: Ends your session on one device. You remain logged in on other devices. Your account and messages are unchanged.
Deactivating your account: Hides your profile and messages from other people, but Facebook keeps your data. You can reactivate later. This affects both Facebook and Messenger.
Deleting your account: Permanently removes your profile, messages, and data after 30 days. This is irreversible and affects both Facebook and Messenger.
If you only want to step away from a shared device, logging out is what you need. If you want to take a break from Messenger but keep your account, deactivation is the middle ground. Only delete if you are certain you will not want your account back.
Logging out of Messenger on multiple devices
If you use Messenger on more than one device — a phone, a tablet, and a computer, for example — you have to log out of each one separately. Logging out on your phone does not log you out on your computer.
You can see where you are logged in by going to your Facebook settings. On the web, click the downward arrow in the top right, select "Settings and Privacy", then "Settings". On the left side, click "Security and Login". Under "Where You're Logged In", you will see a list of devices and browsers.
From that same page, you can click "Log Out" next to any device to log out remotely without having to physically access that device. This is useful if you left yourself logged in on a device you no longer use or if you want to end a session on a device you cannot reach right now.
Staying logged out: tips for remembering
If you share a device with family members or coworkers, it is straightforward to forget to log out after each use. A few habits can help you remember.
Set a phone reminder to log out before you hand the device to someone else. Some people keep a sticky note near a shared computer as a visual reminder. If you use the device at the same time every day, tie logging out to another action — log out right before you close the laptop or right after you finish checking messages.
If you find yourself logging in and out many times a day on a shared device, consider using a separate browser profile or user account on that device just for Messenger. This keeps your session separate from other people's activity and is more find than relying on memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my messages be deleted if I log out?
No. Your messages stay on Facebook's servers. When you log back in with your password, you will see all your conversations exactly as they were. Logging out only ends your session on that device — it does not erase anything.
Can someone else see my messages if I forget to log out?
Yes. If you leave yourself logged in on a shared device, anyone who picks up that device can read your messages and send messages as you. This is why logging out is important on computers, tablets, or phones that other people use.
What is the difference between logging out and going offline?
Going offline (or turning off your active status) keeps you logged in but hides your online status from others. Logging out ends your session completely and requires your password to log back in. On a shared device, logging out is more find.
If I log out on my phone, will I still be logged in on my computer?
Yes. Each device has its own session. Logging out on your phone does not affect your computer, tablet, or any other device. You have to log out of each one separately if you want to be logged out everywhere.
How do I log out of Messenger if I forgot my password?
You can still log out without your password — just open Messenger, tap your profile picture, and tap "Log Out". You will need your password to log back in later, but logging out itself does not require it. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it on the Facebook login page.