How to Turn off Facebook Messenger

This article explains how to come as close as possible to disabling Facebook Messenger by turning off your active status on Facebook on your desktop, mobile browser, from Messenger.com on the desktop, or in the iOS or Android Messenger app.

Turn off Messenger From Facebook on the Desktop

1. Log in to Facebook on your computer and select the Messenger icon in the upper-right corner.

2. Select the Options icon (three dots) in the upper-right corner of the chat sidebar.

3. Select Turn Off Active Status.

4. In the Active Status window, select Turn off active status for all contacts if you don't want your online status visible to anyone.

5. Select Turn off active status for all contacts except if you want to allow only certain contacts to see your online status. Enter the names of anyone you want to allow.

6. Select Turn off active status for only some contacts to prevent certain people from seeing your online status, then enter those names.

7. Select Okay.

8. Depending on the option you selected, you appear offline to other Messenger users.

   To make yourself visible to would-be chatters again, go to Options and select Turn on Active Status.

Turn off Active Status on Messenger.com on the Desktop

If you're logged in to Messenger.com on a Mac or Windows PC, here's how to turn off active status.

1. Sign in to Messenger.com and select the Settings icon (the gear) at the top.

2. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.

3. In the Active Status section, toggle off the Show when you're active option. Your friends and contacts won't see if you're on Messenger.

Turn off Active Status on the iOS or Android App

It's easy to turn off your Messenger active status while you're on the go using the Messenger iOS or Android app.

1. Open the Messenger app on your mobile device and select the Chats icon at the bottom of the screen.

2. Tap your profile picture in the upper-left corner, then tap Active Status.

3. Tap the Show when you're active toggle switch to turn off active status. (On an Android device, use the toggle at the top of the screen to turn off your active status.)

4. Tap Turn Off to confirm. Other users now won't be able to see if you're on Messenger.

Turn off Messenger From Facebook in a Mobile Browser

If you're logged in to Facebook using a browser on your mobile device, here's how to turn off your Messenger active status.

1. Log in to Facebook in a mobile browser and tap the Messenger icon at the top.

2. Turn off the Show when you're active toggle switch.

3. When the confirmation box appears, tap Turn Off. Other users now won't be able to see if you're on Messenger.