Deactivate Facebook Messenger on iPhone & Android

Deactivating Facebook Messenger stops incoming message notifications and hides your active status, but it does not delete your chat history or account. This guide walks you through the process on both iPhone and Android, covering the difference between deactivating the app and deactivating your entire Facebook account.

What You’ll Need

Your phone (iPhone or Android) with the Messenger app installed
Your Facebook login credentials (email/phone and password)
An internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular)

Step-by-Step

Option A: Deactivate Messenger Only (Keep Facebook Active)

This is the recommended method if you want to stop using Messenger but still use Facebook. It turns off your active status and stops notifications, but your messages remain stored.

Open the Messenger app on your iPhone or Android device.
Tap your profile picture in the top-left corner (iPhone) or top-right corner (Android, depending on version).
Scroll down and tap Account Settings (on iPhone it may appear as a gear icon next to your name).
Tap Personal Information.
Tap Account Ownership and Control.
Tap Deactivation or Deletion.
Select Deactivate Messenger.
Tap Continue and then Deactivate to confirm.
You’ll be logged out of Messenger. Your Facebook account remains active, and you can still log back into Messenger anytime.

Option B: Deactivate Your Entire Facebook Account (Includes Messenger)

If you want to take a break from both Facebook and Messenger, deactivating your Facebook account also deactivates Messenger. This is reversible and does not delete your data.

Open the Facebook app (not Messenger) on your phone.
Tap the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the bottom-right (iPhone) or top-right (Android).
Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings.
Scroll to the Your Information section and tap Account Ownership and Control.
Tap Deactivation or Deletion.
Choose Deactivate Account and tap Continue to Account Deactivation.
Follow the prompts (you may be asked to confirm your password).
Confirm by tapping Deactivate. This deactivates both Facebook and Messenger.

Option C: Disable Notifications Only (Quick Alternative)

If you don’t want to deactivate but just silence Messenger, you can turn off notifications without logging out.

Open Messenger.
Tap your profile picture.
Tap Notifications & Sounds.
Toggle off Notifications (or select a quieter mode like “Pause notifications”).
You can also use the Active Status toggle here to hide your online presence.

Common Mistakes

Confusing deactivation with deletion: Deactivation is temporary and reversible; deletion permanently removes your account and chat history. Always choose “Deactivate” unless you want permanent deletion.
Deactivating Facebook instead of Messenger: If you only want to stop Messenger, use Option A. Deactivating Facebook (Option B) also disables your main account, which may affect other apps that use Facebook login.
Expecting messages to disappear: Deactivating Messenger does not delete your chats. They remain stored and will reappear when you reactivate.
Not logging out of other devices: Deactivation on one device does not automatically log you out of Messenger on other devices. You may need to deactivate from each device or change your password.

Tips

Before deactivating, consider downloading your chat history if you think you might want a copy later. Go to Facebook Settings > Your Information > Download Your Information.
If you only want to hide your online status, use the Active Status toggle in Messenger settings instead of deactivating.
Deactivation is immediate, but it may take a few minutes for your profile to become invisible to others.
You can reactivate Messenger at any time by simply logging back in with your Facebook credentials.

Troubleshooting

Can’t find the deactivation option: The menu path may vary slightly depending on your app version. If you don’t see “Account Ownership and Control,” try updating the app to the latest version from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Deactivation button is grayed out: This can happen if you have a pending action, like a recent password change or an unresolved report. Wait 24 hours and try again.
You’re still getting notifications after deactivating: Make sure you’re actually logged out of Messenger. If notifications persist, force-close the app and restart your phone. If they continue, check if you have Messenger Lite or another Messenger variant installed.
You forgot your password: Use the “Forgot password” link on the login screen to reset it. You’ll need access to your email or phone number.
Deactivation didn’t work on Android: Some Android versions have a different layout. Try using the Facebook website (m.facebook.com) in a browser and follow the same steps under Settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deactivating Messenger delete my messages?

No. Your messages are stored on Facebook’s servers. They will be hidden while deactivated, but they reappear when you reactivate.

Can I still use Facebook after deactivating Messenger?

Yes, if you used Option A (deactivate Messenger only), your Facebook account remains fully functional. If you used Option B (deactivate Facebook), both are disabled.

Will people know I deactivated Messenger?

Your profile will no longer show an active status, and you won’t appear in the active list. However, your chat history remains visible to others.

How do I reactivate Messenger?

Simply open the Messenger app and log in with your Facebook credentials. Your account and chats will be restored instantly.

Is deactivating the same as deleting?

No. Deactivation is temporary and reversible. Deletion permanently removes your account and all associated data after a 30-day grace period.

Can I deactivate Messenger without deactivating Facebook on the web?

Yes, you can do it from the Facebook website by going to Settings > Your Information > Deactivation or Deletion, and choosing “Deactivate Messenger” instead of “Deactivate Account.”

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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