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This article will show you how to Deactivate Facebook Messenger. For some people, getting too many Facebook messages is fun, but for others, it’s a bother. If you belong to the second group, you may be wondering if there is a way to turn off Messenger. People are getting less and less interested in social media, or at least Facebook. If you want to get away from the “keeping up with the Joneses” aspect of social media or are worried about your data privacy, it is sometimes a good idea to log out and take a break.
Sadly, the only way to turn off Messenger is to turn off your whole Facebook account first. But you can also do other things, like turn off Messenger. There comes a time when you have to leave Facebook for your own sanity. When that time comes, you deactivate your account in the hopes of getting away from all the foolish things that happen on social media site.
Even if you delete your Facebook account, Facebook Messenger will continue to function normally. This is because Facebook is notorious for lying. To complete this task, you will need to take one more step and disable Messenger on its own. Therefore, in this piece, we have compiled a straightforward guide that will assist you in reaching a state of digital nirvana by demonstrating how to completely disable Facebook Messenger. Deactivating Facebook Messenger can be accomplished by following the steps that are outlined in this article.
How to Deactivate Facebook Messenger
On PC
![How to Deactivate Facebook Messenger](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/a-129-jpg.webp)
- Open a web browser on your computer and visit the Facebook official website.
- Log in to your Facebook account using your username and password.
- Once you are logged in, click on the Messenger icon located at the top-right corner of the Facebook homepage. It looks like a speech bubble.
- In the Messenger window, click on your profile picture at the top-left corner of the screen. This will open a drop-down menu.
- From the drop-down menu, click on “Settings & Privacy” and then select “Settings.”
- In the left sidebar, click on “Your Facebook Information.”
- On the right side of the screen, you will see various options. Look for the “Deactivation and Deletion” section and click on “View” next to it.
- Under the “Deactivate Account” section, click on the “Deactivate” button.
- A pop-up window will appear asking you to confirm the deactivation. You can choose to keep Messenger active or deactivate Messenger along with your Facebook account. To deactivate only Messenger, select the option “Keep Messenger Active” and then click on the “Deactivate” button.
- You will be asked to enter your Facebook password for security purposes. Enter your password and click on the “Continue” button.
- A confirmation message will appear stating that your Messenger account has been deactivated. It may take a few moments for the changes to take effect.
On iPhone
- Open the Facebook Messenger app on your iPhone.
- Tap on your profile picture located at the top-left corner of the screen.
- This will open the Settings menu. Scroll down and tap on “Account Settings”.
- In the Account Settings menu, scroll down and tap on “Privacy”.
- Under the Privacy section, tap on “Active Status”.
- On the Active Status screen, toggle off the switch next to “Show when you’re active”.
- A pop-up window will appear asking if you want to turn off active status for all contacts or specific contacts. Choose the desired option.
- Once you’ve made your selection, tap on the “OK” button.
- Your active status will now be disabled, and you will no longer appear as active to others on Messenger.
On Android
- Open the Facebook Messenger app on your Android device.
- Tap on your profile picture located at the top-right corner of the screen.
- This will open the Settings menu. Scroll down and tap on “Account Settings”.
- In the Account Settings menu, scroll down and tap on “Privacy”.
- Under the Privacy section, tap on “Active Status”.
- On the Active Status screen, toggle off the switch next to “Show when you’re active”.
- A pop-up window will appear asking if you want to turn off active status for all contacts or specific contacts. Choose the desired option.
- Once you’ve made your selection, tap on the “OK” button.
- Your active status will now be disabled, and you will no longer appear as active to others on Messenger.
How to Deactivate Facebook Messenger Permanently
You have to close your Facebook account before you can turn off Facebook Messenger. We’ve already talked about how to turn off your Facebook account. If you haven’t done it yet, you should go do it before moving on. Remember that turning off Facebook and deleting it are two different ways to protect your privacy on Facebook. Read the linked article first if you want to find out more. Follow the simple step-by-step instructions below when you’re ready to move on:
- Start up Messenger.
- Tap the picture of you in the upper left corner.
- Scroll to the bottom and click on Legal and Policies.
- Select Deactivate Messenger on the next screen.
- Type in your passphrase.
- Click Continue.
Why Deactivate Facebook Messenger?
- Some people may turn off Messenger because they are worried about their privacy and the amount of personal information that Facebook collects.
- Digital detox: People often turn off Messenger as part of a larger plan to spend less time on screens and avoid social media.
- Distraction: Messenger notifications can be annoying and bothersome, especially when you’re working or studying, which is why some people temporarily turn them off.
- Want to Communicate Offline: Some people like more traditional ways of talking to each other or would rather talk to people in person than use apps to send messages.
- To Avoid Contact: Turning off Messenger can help you temporarily stay away from certain people or conversations.
- Account Management: Sometimes, people turn off Messenger as part of managing their Facebook account or other online presence.
Considerations Before Deactivating Facebook Messenger
- Contacts: Ensure you have alternative means of communication with important contacts, as deactivating Messenger will cut off communication with those who primarily use the platform.
- Data: Back up any important conversations or media shared on Messenger that you may need in the future, as deactivation will result in the loss of access to this data.
- Third-Party Apps: If you use Messenger to log in to other apps or services, consider how deactivation will affect your access to those platforms.
- Facebook Integration: If you’re deactivating Messenger as part of a larger departure from Facebook, be aware of the broader implications and ensure you’re ready for the change.
- Notifications: Adjust your device’s notification settings to avoid being prompted to reactivate Messenger unintentionally.
- Reactivation: Understand the process for reactivating Messenger if you change your mind in the future, and ensure you have the necessary login credentials to do so.
- Communication Needs: Consider whether you rely heavily on Messenger for communication and whether there are suitable alternatives available to meet your needs.
Questions and Answers
If you turn off your Facebook account, your name and pictures will be taken off of most of the things you’ve shared. But you will still be able to use Messenger. On Messenger, people can still send you messages.
Go to the page for Messenger’s Manage Imported Contacts. Click the “Delete All Contacts” button. Messenger doesn’t let you delete individual contacts, but you can always block someone’s profile. When you block someone, you will no longer see them in your app. If you have continuous syncing turned on, your phone contacts will be imported again.
In the event that you remove Messenger, it will continue to be installed. Every time Messenger is installed, it performs a check for new messages and synchronises with the servers that Facebook uses. Until you delete Facebook Messenger entirely, any text messages that you send through the platform will remain on your Facebook account.