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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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Go to comment (37)
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"

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