The fastest way to log out depends on what device you're using
On a phone, open 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. Both take about 10 seconds. If you're on a shared device or borrowed computer, logging out is the safest choice — it prevents the next person from reading your messages or seeing who you've been talking to.
The steps are slightly different depending on whether you're using the Messenger app, the Facebook app with Messenger built in, or Messenger through a web browser. This guide covers all three, since many people switch between them without realizing they're different places to log out.
Key Takeaways
- On the Messenger app for iPhone or Android, tap your profile picture in the top left corner, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Log Out".
- On a computer, go to Messenger.com or the Messenger section of Facebook.com, click your profile picture, and select "Log Out".
- Logging out of Messenger does not automatically log you out of Facebook — you need to log out of both separately if you want to be fully signed out.
- If you forget to log out on a shared device, you can log out remotely by going to your Facebook settings on any other device and ending that session.
Logging out on iPhone or Android
Open the Messenger app and look for your profile picture — it's a small circle or square in the top left corner of the screen. Tap it once. A menu will slide up from the bottom showing your name, active status, and several options below.
Scroll down to the very bottom of this menu. You'll see "Log Out" in red text. Tap it. Messenger will ask you to confirm — tap "Log Out" again. You're now signed out. The next time someone opens Messenger on that phone, they'll see a login screen instead of your messages.
Logging out on a computer or web browser
Go to Messenger.com in your browser, or open Facebook.com and click "Messenger" in the left sidebar. In the top left corner, you'll see your profile picture. Click it once.
A dropdown menu appears. At the bottom, you'll see "Log Out". Click it. Your browser will return to the login screen. If you're using a shared computer, close the browser window completely after logging out — some browsers can restore your session if you reopen them.
What happens when you log out
When you log out of Messenger, your account stops receiving notifications on that device. If someone sends you a message, you won't see it until you log back in. Your message history stays on Facebook's servers — logging out doesn't delete your conversations.
Other people can still see that you've been active in the past (it shows "Active 2 hours ago" or similar), but they can't see your current status or know whether you're reading their messages right now. This is why logging out is useful on a shared device: it stops the next person from impersonating you in a conversation.
Logging out of Messenger doesn't log you out of Facebook
This is the most common source of confusion. Messenger and Facebook are technically separate services, even though they're connected. You can be logged into Facebook but logged out of Messenger, or vice versa. If you want to be completely signed out, you need to log out of both.
To log out of Facebook itself, go to Facebook.com, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select "Log Out". This is a separate step from logging out of Messenger. On a shared device, do both.
If you forgot to log out on a shared device
You can log out remotely without touching that device. On any other computer or phone, go to Facebook.com and log into your account. Click your profile picture in the top right, then click "Settings and Privacy", then "Settings".
On the left sidebar, click "Security and Login". Scroll down to "Where You're Logged In". You'll see a list of devices and browsers. Find the shared device in the list — it will show the device type and the last time it was active. Click the three dots next to it and select "Log Out". Facebook will when ready end that session. The next time someone tries to use Messenger on that device, they'll need to log in again.
Why you might want to stay logged in
On your own phone or computer, staying logged in means you'll get notifications when someone messages you. You won't miss urgent messages, and you can reply quickly. The trade-off is that anyone who picks up your device can read your conversations without your permission.
If you live alone or your device is password-protected and you trust everyone in your household, staying logged in is usually fine. If you share a device with roommates, family members, or coworkers, logging out after each use is the safer choice. You can always log back in in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does logging out of Messenger delete my messages?
No. Your messages stay on Facebook's servers. When you log back in, all your conversations will be there exactly as you left them. Logging out only stops that device from showing your messages — it doesn't erase them.
Can I log out of Messenger on one device but stay logged in on another?
Yes. Each device logs in and out separately. You can be logged into Messenger on your phone and logged out on your computer at the same time. Logging out on one device doesn't affect your other devices.
What's the difference between logging out and turning off notifications?
Logging out removes your account from the device entirely — the next person to open Messenger will see a login screen. Turning off notifications keeps you logged in but silences alerts. If you want privacy on a shared device, log out. If you just want to stop getting alerts, turn off notifications in settings.
If I log out, will people know I'm offline?
Your active status will stop updating, so people won't see a real-time indicator that you're online. However, your profile will still show when you were last active (like "Active 3 hours ago"). Logging out doesn't hide your past activity — it just stops broadcasting your current presence.