The quickest way to log out

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down to the very bottom of the menu and tap Log Out. The app will close you out of your account when ready, and you'll return to the login screen the next time you open it.

That's the standard path on both iPhone and Android. The menu icon location and wording stay the same across both phones, so the steps work the same way regardless of which device you use. The entire process takes about ten seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • The Log Out button is at the very bottom of the menu, accessed through the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner of the app.
  • Logging out completely removes your account from the app, so you'll need to enter your password again to get back in.
  • If you can't find the menu icon, check that you're looking at the bottom right of the screen, not the top.
  • Logging out is different from just closing the app — closing the app keeps you logged in, while logging out removes your account entirely.
  • Your account data stays safe on Facebook's servers when you log out; nothing is deleted from your account itself.

What happens after you log out

Once you tap Log Out, the Facebook app forgets your account. When you open the app again, you'll see the login screen asking for your email or phone number and password. You won't automatically return to your feed or messages.

This is useful if you're sharing your phone with someone else, selling the phone, or straightforward want to take a break from Facebook without deleting the app itself. The app stays on your phone — you're just no longer signed in. All your photos, messages, and posts remain in your account; they're just not visible on this device until you log back in.

If the menu icon isn't where you expect

The three horizontal lines should be in the bottom right corner of your screen. If you don't see it there, make sure you're on the main Facebook feed or home screen, not inside a specific post or message. The menu icon only appears on certain screens.

If you're on an older version of the Facebook app, the layout might be slightly different. Try updating the app through your phone's app store (Google Play Store for Android, App Store for iPhone). Updated versions usually have the menu icon in the same bottom right spot, but older versions sometimes placed it elsewhere. After updating, the three-line menu should appear in the bottom right corner.

Logging out vs. closing the app

Many people confuse these two actions. Closing the app (swiping it away or pressing the home button) does not log you out — it just closes the window. Your account stays active in the app's memory, and you'll return to your feed the next time you open it.

Logging out actually removes your account from the app. The next time you open Facebook, you'll need to enter your login information again. If you want to fully disconnect your account from the app, you must use the Log Out button, not just close the app. This distinction matters most when you're sharing a device with someone else.

If you forgot your password

If you log out and then can't remember your password, tap Forgot Password? on the login screen. Facebook will ask you to enter your email address or phone number, then send you a link to reset your password. Check your email or text messages for the reset link.

The reset process usually takes a few minutes. Once you've created a new password, you can log back into the app with that new password. Keep your new password somewhere you can find it if you need to log out again in the future.

Logging out on a shared device

If you share your phone with family members or roommates, logging out is the safest way to keep your account private. straightforward tap Log Out, and the next person who opens the app will see the login screen instead of your account.

Don't rely on just closing the app or locking your phone — anyone with access to your unlocked phone can open the Facebook app and see your messages, photos, and personal information if you're still logged in. Logging out is the only way to prevent someone else from accessing your account on a shared device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will logging out delete my Facebook account?

No. Logging out only removes your account from the app on that specific phone. Your account, photos, messages, and all your data remain on Facebook's servers. You can log back in anytime with your password.

Can I log out of Facebook on my computer the same way?

No, the steps are different on a computer. On Facebook's website, look for a downward arrow or your profile picture in the top right corner, click it, and select Log Out from the menu. The phone app and website have different layouts.

What if I log out by accident?

Just log back in. Tap the email or phone number field, enter your login information, and you'll be back in your account. There's no penalty or waiting period for logging out and back in.

Does logging out stop Facebook from tracking me?

Logging out of the app stops Facebook from tracking your activity within the app itself. However, Facebook may still track some information through its website and other apps that use Facebook's tools, depending on your privacy settings.

Can I log out of Facebook without uninstalling the app?

Yes, that's exactly what the Log Out button does. The app stays on your phone and takes up the same storage space, but your account is no longer signed in. You can reinstall the app later if you want to remove it completely.