Messenger, Facebook’s private-messaging app, makes it easy to stay in touch via texts, video chats, or group conversations. But if you want to log out when you’ve finished catching up, or have left your ID active on a device that you don’t have with you, then it can be a bit tricky to find where the relevant settings live.
Facebook Messenger can also be a bit of a troublemaker, falsely claiming you are online when you are not. It doesn’t take too much imagination to understand how this could lead to some arguments between friends.
Here’s how to properly log out of Facebook Messenger on your device.
Logging out of Messenger on a mobile device
While it might seem perfectly sensible to expect the logout setting to be in the Messenger app on your smartphone or tablet, that isn’t the case. Instead, you’ll need to go through the Facebook app itself.
To find the log out option, open the Facebook app then tap the three lines icon (in the bottom right corner on iOS, or top right corner on Android).
Select Settings > Security and Login.
Now you’ll find, under the heading Where You’re Logged In, a list of the devices and locations that are currently active. Beneath the name of each device you should see whether you’re logged into the Facebook App or Messenger.
Find the one you want to remove, and if it’s not listed as the two most recent devices just tap the See all option.
Find the last Messenger entry and tap the three dots to the right of its name. This opens up a dialog box from which you can tap Log Out to disable the session.
Logging out of Messenger on a laptop or PC
If you don’t have the device you want to logout, you can still disable it via the Facebook website. To do this, open your browser and go to Facebook. With your account logged in, click on the downwards facing arrow in the top right corner and select Settings & privacy > Settings.
On the next page you’ll see a column of options on the left side. Click on Security and login.
Now, from the section marked Where you’re logged in find your device and click on the three dots to the right of its name, then select Log Out.
For more ways to get the most out of Facebook’s communications app, read our Best Facebook Messenger tips & tricks guide.
Author: Martyn Casserly, Contributor, Tech Advisor
Martyn has been involved with tech ever since the arrival of his ZX Spectrum back in the early 80s. He covers iOS, Android, Windows and macOS, writing tutorials, buying guides and reviews.