Facebook sends you emails by default, and you have to turn them off yourself
Facebook's default settings assume you want email notifications for almost everything: when someone likes your post, comments on your photo, sends you a message, tags you, or invites you to an event. These emails arrive separately from what you see in the Facebook app or website. The only way to stop them is to change your notification settings — Facebook will not stop sending them on their own.
You can turn off all Facebook emails at once, or you can be selective and keep only the ones that matter to you. The process is the same whether you use Facebook on a phone or computer, because the settings live in your account preferences, not in the app itself.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook email notifications are turned on by default for most activities, and you must disable them manually in your account settings.
- You can turn off all Facebook emails at once, or customize which types of emails you receive by category.
- The settings are in the same place whether you use Facebook on mobile or desktop — in your account preferences under Notifications.
- Changes take effect when ready, and Facebook will stop sending those emails within a few hours.
How to turn off all Facebook emails at once
If you do not want any emails from Facebook, the fastest route is to disable them all in one place. On a computer, go to facebook.com, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On a phone, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and privacy, and tap Settings.
Once you are in Settings, look for Notifications in the left sidebar (on a computer) or scroll down to find it (on a phone). Click or tap Notifications. You will see a section called Email. At the top of that section, there is a toggle or dropdown that says something like All notifications or Notifications. Click it and select Off or None. Facebook will stop sending you emails within a few hours.
How to keep some Facebook emails and block others
If you want to receive emails only about certain things — for example, messages from friends but not event invitations — you can customize each category. In the same Email section of Notifications, you will see a list of email types: Messages, Friend requests, Comments and reactions, Event invitations, Group activity, and others depending on what you use Facebook for.
Next to each one is a toggle or dropdown. Click the one you want to turn off, and select Off or None. The ones you leave alone will keep sending emails. For example, you might turn off Comments and reactions and Event invitations but leave Messages on so you still get emails when someone sends you a direct message. Your changes take effect when ready.
Why Facebook sends so many emails by default
Facebook's business model depends on keeping you engaged with the platform. Every email notification is designed to pull you back into the app or website — even if you have already seen the activity in the app itself. The company profits from the time you spend there and the data it collects about what you do.
This is why the default is always "send emails" rather than "do not send emails." You have to actively opt out. The same pattern appears across most free social media and tech platforms: they assume you want maximum notifications unless you tell them otherwise.
What to do if you still receive Facebook emails after changing settings
Sometimes Facebook emails continue to arrive even after you have turned them off. This usually happens because the setting did not save properly, or because you turned off one category but another is still on. Go back to Settings > Notifications > Email and check each category again. Make sure the ones you do not want are set to Off.
If the problem persists, try logging out of Facebook completely, closing your browser, and logging back in. Then check the settings again. If emails still arrive after that, you can also unsubscribe directly from the email itself — most Facebook emails have an unsubscribe link at the very bottom. Clicking it will turn off that specific type of email.
The difference between app notifications and email notifications
Facebook has two separate notification systems: notifications that appear in the app or on your phone (push notifications), and emails sent to your email address. Turning off email notifications does not turn off app notifications, and vice versa. If you want to stop both, you have to change both settings.
To turn off app notifications, go to Settings > Notifications and look for a section called In-app notifications or Push notifications (the name varies by phone type). You can turn those off separately from emails. Many people turn off emails but keep app notifications on, or the other way around — it depends on what works for your own attention.
How to manage notifications from Facebook Messenger separately
Facebook Messenger has its own notification settings, separate from the main Facebook app. If you want to stop Messenger emails but keep regular Facebook emails, or vice versa, you can control them independently. Open Messenger, tap your profile picture in the top left corner, and select Notifications and sounds. You will see options for email notifications there.
The same rule applies: you can turn off all Messenger emails at once, or customize which types you receive. This is useful if you use Messenger for work or important conversations and want to keep those notifications, but do not want emails about group chats or read receipts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Facebook know I turned off email notifications?
No. Turning off email notifications does not change anything Facebook knows about you or how it treats your account. It only stops the emails from being sent to your email address. Facebook still tracks your activity in the app itself.
Can I turn off emails from specific people?
Not directly through the notification settings. You can turn off emails about comments and reactions in general, but you cannot block emails from one person while keeping them from others. If someone is sending you unwanted messages, you can mute or block them in the app, which will stop notifications from that person.
What if I change my mind and want Facebook emails again?
Go back to Settings > Notifications > Email and turn the categories back on. You can do this anytime. There is no penalty for turning notifications on and off repeatedly.
Do these settings explore to Facebook on Instagram and WhatsApp too?
No. Instagram and WhatsApp have their own separate notification settings. If you use those apps, you will need to change their email notifications in their own settings. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are owned by the same company but operate as separate apps with separate controls.
Why do I still get Facebook emails after unchecking everything?
The most common reason is that you turned off one category but another is still on. Go back and check every single option in the Email section — some are straightforward to miss. If all are truly off and emails still arrive, try logging out completely, waiting a few minutes, and logging back in. If that does not work, use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email itself.