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How to Log Out of Facebook Messenger: A Step-by-Step Guide

Diego AdobeStock 471171296
© Diego/Adobe Stock

Are you looking for ways to sign out of Facebook Messenger? As trivial as it might sound, Facebook has made it inherently difficult to log out of Facebook Messenger, which is its dedicated messaging app. Well, fret not! Because we are here to help you get around this annoying problem!

Read on to find out how to log out of Facebook Messenger on Android, iOS, or from your computer.

How to log out of Messenger on Android and iOS

There are two methods of logging out of the Facebook Messenger app: Log out of the Messenger session from the Facebook app or clear Facebook Messenger app data from within your device Settings. The first procedure works on both iPhone and Android phones, while the second is only available for the Android Messenger app.

Let us now take a look at each of these steps.

Log out of the Messenger session from the Facebook app (Android and iOS users)

If you've got Messenger on your smartphone, chances are pretty high that you also have the Facebook app installed as well. In the social media app, follow these steps to log out of the Messenger application:

  1. Tap on the menu button .
  2. Tap on the ⚙️ (cog/settings) button.
  3. Scroll down and choose Security and login.
  4. Under the Where you're logged in section, tap on  button next to the entry showing the "Messenger" option.
  5. Tap on Log out.
Screenshots showing the steps to log out of the Facebook Messenger app
The menus for iPhones are slightly different but follow similar steps. / © NextPit

Pro tip: The steps above can also be applied to Messenger Lite.

Clear Messenger app data in Settings (For Android users only)

To log out of Facebook Messenger, you need to go into the Settings of your Android device.

  1. Close the app if you have it open, and remove it from your recent apps list. Otherwise, this trick won’t work.
  2. Open the Settings app.
  3. Select the Apps option.
  4. Tap on See all apps.
  5. Select the Messenger app.
  6. Tap on Storage & cache.
  7. After openingselect Clear Storage.
    1. There also should be a Clear Cache option, which we suggest you select as well.

Now when you return to launch Messenger in your app drawer, you should see that it will not automatically log you in. 

Pro tip: If someone else wants to use your smartphone to check their Facebook messages while you're still logged in, they just need to select Switch Account to sign into their own account.

Note that this little trick will delete all data that your Messenger application had saved: so it will be returned to a freshly installed state. But as we mentioned earlier, the application 'remembers' your Facebook account.  If you do not want even your account to be displayed here, you will need to repeat the same step. This time, however, using the main Facebook app.

Screenshots showing the steps to log out of the Facebook Messenger app
Deleting Messenger's data also logs you out of the app. / © NextPit

How to log out of the Messenger app from the Facebook website

You can log out of the iOS or Android Messenger apps from the Facebook website, from your PC, or from your smartphone browser. Go to facebook.com/settings and follow these instructions:

  1. Select Security and login.
  2. Under the Where you're logged in section, tap on  button next to the entry showing the "Messenger" option.
    1. Tap on the See more option to expand the list of apps and devices associated with your Facebook account.
  3. Choose Log out.
Screenshots showing the steps to log out of the Facebook Messenger app from the web
Logging out of Messenger from the web is similar to the steps on the app. / © NextPit

These workaround methods can be a bit annoying to deal with, but they work. Facebook doesn't seem keen to change the situation and make it any easier. If you are annoyed by Facebook in general, you might want to consider giving it the boot and trying one of these Facebook alternatives.

In case you are looking at something more concrete to disconnect yourself from Facebook, you can log out from Facebook in different ways depending on where you are accessing it from.

Logging out of Facebook on a computer

If you primarily access Facebook on your computer using a browser, all you need to do to log out of Facebook is to perform these steps:

  1. Open Facebook.
  2. In the extreme top right corner, click the downward arrow button and select the last option, Log Out.

Logging out of the Facebook App on iOS and Android

If you happen to access Facebook using the official Facebook app, the steps to log out of the app are pretty simple.

  1. Launch the Facebook app.
  2. Select the menu button (three lines) in the top right corner.
  3. Scroll down to the very bottom and select Log Out.

How to log out of Facebook if you've lost your smartphone

In case you lost your smartphone and are worried the thief or person who found it could possibly access your private information, you can remotely log out of Facebook using your computer. Here’s how you can do so:

  1. Open Facebook on your computer.
  2. Click this link: https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=mobile 
  3. Click on Lost your phone?.
  4. In the dialog box that appears, click Log Out on Phone.

If you are on the lookout for something that is even more drastic, we assume that you are looking at a temporary deactivation or perhaps something more permanent like deleting your Facebook account. Well, we have a separate article that addresses the same issue. Please check it out in the link below.

What do you think of Facebook's decision to make Messenger a separate app? Does it annoy you that there's no straightforward way to log out in the form of a Log Out button? Let us know in the comments!


This article was last updated in February 2023. Older comments have been retained and hence, some of them might seem out of context. 

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Edwin Kee

Edwin Kee
Freelance Editor and Forum Moderator

The love of writing and all things tech have proven to be the catalyst that has kept me going in this industry for the past decade. Here are to many more years ahead, at least until Android Vanilla Pudding is released!

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37 comments
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  • 49
    storm Apr 27, 2021 Link to comment

    That this even requires a how to is a damning indictment of the product.

    Rubens Eishima


  • marco sarli 39
    marco sarli
    • Admin
    May 7, 2020 Link to comment

    What about messenger lite? Same procedure?


  • 3
    Kimberley M. Williams Dec 26, 2019 Link to comment

    Simply go to three bars and there you would find the logout option.


  • 1
    Jae Sep 27, 2019 Link to comment

    I used my mobile number to login in desktop messenger. Now when i used the messenger in my phone it logged me out and asked me to confirm if its still my number. I provided my number to send the confirmation code. Its been 2days now but no code was sent. I already logged out from the desktop messenger, but still it wont give the code. Whats the best way to fix this. Thanks


  • marco sarli 39
    marco sarli
    • Admin
    Sep 25, 2019 Link to comment

    Do not install it or uninstall it. There are alternatives. Friendly is ok and light on resources. Limited to messages and no calls but much less intrusive


  • F.Alam 7
    F.Alam Jan 1, 2019 Link to comment

    Thanks


  • 2
    mmm Aug 16, 2018 Link to comment

    Facebook is making the world such a terrible place to live in.

    DarrylOdin Ask


  • 27
    Sorin Apr 8, 2018 Link to comment

    The easiest: say "log out" and ready!
    Valid if the voice assistant is enabled... :)


  • Rathore Singh 2
    Rathore Singh Mar 14, 2018 Link to comment

    They know your device id guys. Even after clearing the data they will show your username and allow your to continue to your account without entering the password. So Be careful

    Peter Donoghue


  • James Silver 2
    James Silver Mar 8, 2018 Link to comment

    What's annoying me after finding a way to log off by clearing data and cache in app settings is that I open the app up and it has the tab to log in to my account. No need for to type in your password. You just click the box to log in. WTF!! I am a memory card away from deleting Facebook and filing a lawsuit for invasion of privacy and tormenting. Once my pics are saved from Facebook, I'm done with it.

    Peter Donoghue


  • 3
    George Davis Nov 18, 2017 Link to comment

    Google has apparently decided that you as a consumer of their products should no longer have any expectations of privacy, or Any Rights at all ! Hasn't anyone else noticed that they do anything they want, they trick you into making selections you didn't want to make in facebook, etc? Well here's another one. They took over Messenger and removed your ability to log out! In this way they can force you into looking at more advertising (they make money every time), etc. What nerve! Have you ever tried to leave facebook? You can't! They tell you that you can (you can't ) then they'll stear you towards "de-activating" your account, you cannot do that either, not for more than a week or so. In any event, somewhere in your usage of facebook you've agreed-upon letting them keep all of your data any of which they arbitrarily SELL (more money) to whom they decide to, all good reasons to consider APPLE for your next device.

    Since you can never logoff Messenger, heres a way to do so. It's certainly not convenient (by intention) but it does work.

    Odin Ask


  • Malstron 4
    Malstron Aug 9, 2017 Link to comment

    Thank you! I can't find the logout option in the messenger app. Clear data it's the only option...


  • 1
    Artie Aug 6, 2017 Link to comment

    I wish the logout was easier. Kind of defeats the point of the green light next to your name if you're not really willing to start chatting. OTOH, Facebook wants to suck everyone to their platform as much as possible, so maybe they're ok with it.


  • Umesh Sahai 1
    Umesh Sahai Aug 5, 2017 Link to comment

    thanks for this article, I stuck when i can't find logout


  • Vera H. 7
    Vera H. Aug 4, 2017 Link to comment

    It is inconvenient to transfer messages from facebook via Messenger

    Kristina Nelson


  • Miller Heide 1
    Miller Heide Apr 25, 2017 Link to comment

    Logging from the Facebook messenger application is quite tricky, the user can not easily logout from it, here you will some bets tips to logout from the Facebook go through this blog


  • Melissa Harrison 2
    Melissa Harrison Apr 19, 2017 Link to comment

    i wish i could just click log out like i can with my Facebook profile.

    Artie


  • Suzanne Williams 2
    Suzanne Williams Mar 27, 2017 Link to comment

    Another way to access your messages without installing messenger is to go to the browser settings, I use chrome. Check the box that says view desktop version. Its annoying but not as annoying as messenger.

    Elfyn


  • 1
    AJP Feb 26, 2017 Link to comment

    Thanks, for those who can't find the clear data button, it is inside the storage option.


  • Alyson Ferro 1
    Alyson Ferro Feb 2, 2017 Link to comment

    I HATE THAT THERE IS NO LOG OUT and that fb on my phone makes u get messenger!! Also HATE that it tells people when u were last active !
    This article doesn't work for me cuz there is no "clear data" option in my application mgr apps, just "force stop"


    • 1
      AJP Feb 26, 2017 Link to comment

      Of course there is, it's inside the storage option.


  • Muhammed Affas 1
    Muhammed Affas Oct 30, 2016 Link to comment

    Actually a simple trick is to go to the switch account panel and then retype the accou t info that is logged in and this somehow helped me to log out :)


  • James Furlong 2
    James Furlong Oct 13, 2016 Link to comment

    I went to settings then apps find messenger click force stop and it will stop it until you click on messenger app and it will reconnect back on. They should log out with your Facebook it is so annoying

    San Ter Htoo


  • Betsy GonXalex 2
    Betsy GonXalex Sep 6, 2016 Link to comment

    It sucks! i logged in my mom's phone and it keeps sending my account's notifications to her phone even tho i switched it to her account.. mine won't disappear until i delete de app!

    d.o


    • 2
      d.o Dec 13, 2016 Link to comment

      same thing happened to me!! I logged in on my mom's phone and it keeps sending notifications to her phone.
      how did you fix it??


  • Akanksha Khot 1
    Akanksha Khot Jul 22, 2016 Link to comment

    Thanx!


  • Kiều Linh Lê 2
    Kiều Linh Lê Jun 9, 2016 Link to comment

    It's ok for me when using separate app face and messenger. But I wish that when logout facebook app, the messenger also logout.
    Thanks.

    Alyson Ferro


  • Abbas Khan 1
    Abbas Khan May 29, 2016 Link to comment

    I've gotten a very simple way sign out of messenger completely.
    Go to your facebook account Go to account settings,general settings,and change your password when it's done,check "log me out of other devices" . And now you are out of messenger, you can now log in with any account you want to log in with


    • Betsy GonXalex 2
      Betsy GonXalex Sep 6, 2016 Link to comment

      yeah but you have to change your pass.. it's annoying, they should fix that useless thing

      Alyson Ferro


  • 2
    Mahmood Ali Feb 18, 2016 Link to comment

    I got a better trick for all type of messanger. andriod, iOS or any operating system. Just open facebook in app or any browser. Go to setting>Select Security Setting>See Active sessions 0r Where u loged in or like that> Open it> you will get your current sessions. you search messanger.> When you find it Click on End Session, Or Remove or Click (the options are different for different browsers but all have same function). when u would have done this. You have loged in your messanger successfully. To check open messanger again. you will get message. log in session has expired, plz re login. You can also use this trick to log out your account remotely from any system if you have left loged in. Give Me feed back if you like

    Lachel ArdiMartin Gregory


    • Choyon Islam 1
      Choyon Islam Sep 17, 2016 Link to comment

      @mohammad_ali: Thnk u very much for ur tricks. I think this is the best & simplest way to logout from messenger. Carry on, brother (y)


    • 1
      Lachel Ardi Mar 11, 2017 Link to comment

      Thanks bro! Worked flawlessly. 😅👍


  • 4
    Rafey Iqbal Rahman Nov 21, 2015 Link to comment

    I don't like Messenger as a separate app. I am not annoyed of not having any logout option as this option isn't available on Whatsapp too. The thing I hate about Messenger is that when switching from the Facebook app to Messenger it is much laggy. Rhe switching process needs to be smooth.

    Kiều Linh Lê


  • 4
    bj folk Nov 12, 2015 Link to comment

    I just downloaded Mess yesterday and I somehow punched enough stuff and it logged out... on my Note 5 here's the secrets: go to your home screen, a round Mess icon should be visible somewhere (for one touch fast entrance back into the Mess), this icon moves around if you press down on it, but when I pressed down long enuf, a "remove" button appears below, then drag the icon down to the remove and Mess shuts down. It was just like removing an app shortcut! I checked the status in running apps and it was off. This may not work for other makes and models, but is worth a try!


    • Mike Ferg 1
      Mike Ferg Apr 22, 2016 Link to comment

      This worked on my Android device using the Firefox browser, thanks!


  • Neil Cool 2
    Neil Cool Nov 12, 2015 Link to comment

    yeah its really works


  • Acezar T. 5
    Acezar T. Nov 12, 2015 Link to comment

    I Am really lucky to find your site. You rock guys for letting us know that tips and tricks on our Android phone.

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