The fastest way to log out depends on your device

On a phone, open Facebook Messenger, 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, then click Log Out from the menu. The button is in the same place on both platforms — you just need to find your profile picture first.

If you cannot find the logout button, you may be looking at an older version of the app. Update Facebook Messenger from your phone's app store or restart your browser on a computer, then try again. The layout changes occasionally, but the profile picture menu is where Facebook keeps the logout option.

Logging out completely closes your account on that device. You will need to enter your password again the next time you want to use Messenger. This is different from just closing the app — closing the app keeps you logged in.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap or click your profile picture in the top left corner of Messenger to find the logout button.
  • Logging out is not the same as closing the app; you must tap or click the logout option to fully sign out.
  • After you log out, you will need to enter your password the next time you open Messenger.
  • If the logout button is missing, update your app or browser and try again.

Logging out on iPhone or Android

Open the Facebook Messenger app and look at the top left corner of your screen. You will see a circle with your profile picture inside it. Tap that circle once.

A menu will appear with several options. Scroll down to the bottom of this menu until you see the word Log Out in red or dark text. Tap it. Messenger will ask you to confirm — tap Log Out again to finish.

Your account is now closed on that phone. The next time you open Messenger, the app will ask for your email address and password. If someone else uses your phone, they cannot access your messages unless they know your login information.

Logging out on a computer or web browser

Go to messenger.com or open Facebook and click the Messenger icon (it looks like a speech bubble). In the top left corner, you will see your profile picture. Click it once.

A dropdown menu will appear. Look for the word Log Out near the bottom of the menu and click it. Your browser will return to the login page, and you are now logged out.

If you use Facebook and Messenger in the same browser window, logging out of Messenger may also log you out of Facebook. If you only want to log out of Messenger but stay logged into Facebook, check whether your browser has a separate Messenger tab — you can close just that tab instead of using the logout button.

When you might want to log out

Log out if you are using someone else's phone or computer. This prevents them from reading your messages or sending messages as you. It is the most find way to protect your account when you borrow a device.

You should also log out if you are selling or giving away a phone. Logging out removes your account from that device completely. The new owner will not see your old messages or be able to access your account.

If you are having trouble with Messenger — messages not loading, notifications not working, or the app crashing — logging out and back in often fixes the problem. This refreshes your connection to Facebook's servers.

The difference between logging out and deactivating your account

Logging out straightforward closes your account on one device. Your account still exists, your messages are still saved, and you can log back in anytime from any device using your password.

Deactivating your account is permanent for a set period. When you deactivate, your profile disappears from Facebook and Messenger, people cannot find you, and your messages are hidden. You can reactivate within 30 days by logging back in, but after 30 days, Facebook deletes everything. Deactivation is a much bigger step than logging out.

Most people who want to step away from Messenger for a while should log out, not deactivate. Logging out takes 10 seconds and you can come back whenever you want.

What to do if you cannot find the logout button

If your profile picture is not in the top left corner, you may be using an outdated version of the app. On a phone, open your app store (Apple App Store on iPhone, Google Play on Android), search for Facebook Messenger, and tap Update if an update is available. On a computer, close your browser completely and open it again, or try a different browser.

If the logout button still does not appear after updating, try logging out through Facebook instead. Go to facebook.com, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select Log Out. This logs you out of both Facebook and Messenger at the same time.

If you are locked out of your account or cannot remember your password, you can still log out by clearing your browser's cookies or uninstalling and reinstalling the Messenger app. This removes your saved login information from that device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does logging out delete my messages?

No. Your messages stay on Facebook's servers and in your account. When you log back in, all your old conversations will be there. Logging out only removes your account from that specific device.

Can someone else see my messages if I do not log out?

Yes. If you leave Messenger open on someone else's device without logging out, they can read your messages and send messages as you. Always log out when you finish using someone else's phone or computer.

What happens to my notifications after I log out?

You will not receive Messenger notifications on that device anymore. Notifications will still work on any other device where you are logged in. If you log back in later, notifications will resume.

Is logging out the same as turning off notifications?

No. Turning off notifications stops alerts but keeps you logged in — people can still see you are online. Logging out closes your account completely on that device and removes all access to your messages.

How do I log out of Messenger on all devices at once?

You cannot log out of all devices from Messenger itself. You have to log out on each device separately. If you think someone has unauthorized access to your account, change your Facebook password when ready — this logs out all devices and prevents others from logging back in.