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10 Tech How-To

How to Log Out of WhatsApp on Android, iPhone & Web

Guide 10-8234 · Updated · Step by step

Logging out of WhatsApp on your phone or the web version is a simple way to protect your privacy, especially when using a shared device or a public computer. This guide walks you through the exact steps to sign out on Android, iPhone, and WhatsApp Web, plus what to do if you run into trouble.

What You’ll Need

  • Your phone with WhatsApp installed and logged in.
  • For WhatsApp Web: a computer with an internet browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc.).
  • Your phone must have an active internet connection to log out from WhatsApp Web remotely.

Step-by-Step

Log Out on Android

  1. Open WhatsApp on your Android phone.
  2. Tap the three vertical dots (â‹®) in the top-right corner of the main chat screen.
  3. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
  4. Tap Account.
  5. Tap Log out.
  6. Confirm by tapping Log out again in the pop-up. You’ll be returned to the WhatsApp welcome screen.

Log Out on iPhone

  1. Open WhatsApp on your iPhone.
  2. Tap the Settings tab (gear icon) in the bottom-right corner.
  3. Tap Account.
  4. Tap Log Out.
  5. Confirm by tapping Log Out again. You’ll see the welcome screen.

Log Out from WhatsApp Web (on a Computer)

  1. Open web.whatsapp.com in your browser.
  2. Click the menu arrow (∨) next to the three-dot icon in the top-left corner of the chat list.
  3. Select Log out from the dropdown.
  4. Confirm by clicking Log out in the pop-up. You’ll be redirected to the QR code screen.

Log Out from WhatsApp Web Remotely (Using Your Phone)

  1. Open WhatsApp on your phone.
  2. On Android: tap the three vertical dots > Linked devices. On iPhone: tap Settings > Linked devices.
  3. You’ll see a list of all devices currently linked to your account.
  4. Tap the device you want to log out (e.g., “Chrome (Windows)”).
  5. Tap Log out in the confirmation pop-up. The device is immediately disconnected.

Common Mistakes

  • Only closing the browser tab: Closing the tab or browser window does not log you out of WhatsApp Web. The session remains active until you explicitly log out or your phone loses connection for a long period.
  • Deleting the app instead of logging out: Uninstalling WhatsApp does not log you out of active web sessions. You must log out from within the app or use the remote logout feature.
  • Forgetting to log out on shared computers: If you use a public or shared computer, always log out from WhatsApp Web when you’re done. Otherwise, the next person can read your chats.
  • Ignoring the “Log out from all devices” option: On the Linked devices screen, there’s often a “Log out from all devices” button. If you only tap individual devices, you might miss one. Use this option if you want to disconnect everything at once.

Tips

  • Use two-step verification: Enable two-step verification in WhatsApp Settings > Account > Two-step verification. This adds a PIN that’s required to re-register your number, making it harder for someone to hijack your account.
  • Check linked devices regularly: Periodically review the Linked devices screen to see if any unfamiliar devices are connected. If you see one, log it out immediately.
  • Log out before handing your phone to someone: If you need to lend your phone to a friend, log out of WhatsApp first or use the app’s fingerprint lock feature (Settings > Privacy > Fingerprint lock).
  • Use incognito mode on public computers: When logging into WhatsApp Web on a shared computer, use an incognito/private browsing window. This way, closing the window automatically clears the session cookies, though you should still log out manually.

Troubleshooting

  • Can’t find the Log out option on Android: If you don’t see “Log out” under Account, make sure your WhatsApp is updated to the latest version. Older versions may have the option under Settings > Account > Log out or Settings > Log out directly.
  • Log out button is greyed out on iPhone: This can happen if your phone is offline. Connect to the internet and try again. If it’s still greyed out, force-close WhatsApp and reopen it.
  • WhatsApp Web says “Your phone is offline”: To log out from the web, your phone needs to have an active internet connection. Check your phone’s connection, then try logging out again from the web interface.
  • You forgot to log out on a public computer: If you’re already away from that computer, use your phone to go to Settings > Linked devices and log out the session remotely. This works as long as your phone has internet access.
  • Logging out doesn’t work after reinstall: If you reinstalled WhatsApp and can’t log out of old web sessions, you can log in to WhatsApp Web with your QR code, then immediately log out from the web menu. Or, use the “Log out from all devices” option on your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does logging out of WhatsApp delete my chats?

No. Logging out only signs you out of the app on that device. Your chat history remains on your phone and is restored when you log back in with the same number.

Can I log out of WhatsApp Web without my phone?

Yes, you can log out directly from the WhatsApp Web interface by clicking the menu arrow and selecting “Log out.” You don’t need your phone for that. However, if you’ve already left the computer, you’ll need your phone to remotely disconnect the session.

What happens if I log out of WhatsApp on my phone?

Logging out on your phone disconnects your phone from WhatsApp’s servers. You won’t receive messages, and your linked devices (including WhatsApp Web) will also be logged out. You’ll need to log back in with your phone number and a verification code.

How do I log out of WhatsApp on a shared iPhone?

Open WhatsApp, go to Settings > Account > Log Out, and confirm. If you’re worried about someone else using the phone after you, also consider enabling Face ID or Touch ID lock in Settings > Privacy.

Can I log out of WhatsApp Web from my phone if I lost it?

If you’ve lost your phone, you can’t use the remote logout feature because it requires the WhatsApp app on that phone. However, you can log out of WhatsApp Web by opening web.whatsapp.com on any computer and clicking “Log out” — but you’ll need to be logged in on that browser. If you can’t, you may need to deactivate your WhatsApp account using your phone number and a verification code sent via SMS.

Why does WhatsApp Web keep logging me out automatically?

WhatsApp automatically logs out web sessions after 14 days of inactivity, or if your phone hasn’t been online for a while. This is a security feature. You’ll need to scan the QR code again to reconnect.

Related

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

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