How to Deactivate Facebook Messenger on Android and iPhone

Messenger used to be a popular way to communicate with your Facebook friends back when the platform was at its peak. Nowadays, I rarely use the app as most of my friends and family have moved on to other messaging apps and platforms. As a result, I don’t feel compelled to continue using Messenger. If you are in the same boat and wish to deactivate your Facebook Messenger, then keep reading to learn how.

Deactivate Facebook Messenger Account (Android and iPhone)

Since Messenger is an extension of Facebook, therefore you can’t get rid of it without first deactivating your main Facebook account. However, credit where credit is due: Facebook has streamlined the process, making it easier to deactivate accounts for both services at once. The steps are the same for both the Android and iOS versions of the program, so let us go over them.

1. Open Messenger and tap on the hamburger menu at the top left.
2. Tap on the cogwheel icon next to your profile name.
3. Scroll down to the bottom and tap on Accounts Center.

4. Here, tap on Personal details under “Account settings” then go to Account ownership and control.
5. Select Deactivation or deletion.

6. Choose the Facebook account that you want to deactivate.
7. Pick Deactivate account and tap on Continue.
8. Enter your account password and press Continue again.
9. Choose the reason for deactivating your account and press Continue.

10. On the last page, make sure the Continue using Messenger option is unchecked and then tap on Deactivate my account.

Now you will be logged out of both Facebook Messenger and the Facebook app. Your account will be deactivated until you log in again. Other users will be unable to discover or message you on the app, but your account data will remain intact.

Hide Active Status on Facebook Messenger

In case you don’t wish to deactivate your account but just want some peace of mind from your friends on Messenger who keep pinging you whenever you go online, then you should disable your active status. This won’t let other users know that you are online, so you can avoid unwanted attention. Follow these instructions to hide your active status.

1. To hide active status, open Facebook Messenger and tap on the hamburger menu at the top.
2. Now tap on the cogwheel icon to visit settings.
3. Tap on Active status.

4. Here, turn off the Show when you’re active toggle.
5. Then select the duration for which you wish to hide your active status and press Pause.

Disabling both options won’t show a green circle next to your name anymore even if you are active.

Limit Your Facebook Messenger Usage

Now this is a workaround for those who can’t keep their hands off of Messenger. So to manage your usage, you can use tools like Digital Wellbeing on Android or ScreenTime on iOS. Both will help you limit your usage, so you can use the app responsibly without having to deactivate it.

Using Digital Wellbeing on Android

Digital Wellbeing comes built-in with every Android phone. It’ll block the app and its notifications after a certain time limit is exceeded. So this can be a great way to silence the app on your phone.

1. To set up Digital Wellbeing, go to Settings.
2. Scroll down to Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls.
3. It’ll show you a complete view of your phone usage. Tap on App limits.
4. From the list of apps, go to Messenger and tap the hourglass icon next to it.
5. Now set your daily time limit and press OK.

Using Screen Time on iPhone

Screen Time shares the same traits as Digital Wellbeing helping you limit app usage. However, the process is a bit different. So here’s how you add a limit to the Messenger app on iOS.

1. On your iPhone, open Settings and go to Screen Time.
2. Here, tap on App Limits > Add Limit > Social and select Messenger.
3. Tap on Next, and set the daily limit for the app.
4. Screen Time lets you manage limits on a per-day basis. Go to Customize Days to tweak that.
5. Now tap on Add to save changes.

Now, Facebook Messenger will be blocked after you reach the time limit.

So these are all the ways to not only deactivate Facebook Messenger but also to limit your usage of the app on your device. There is no doubt that the app is quite addictive, but there could be reasons you wish to stay away from it. But I hope you found these methods helpful, and in case you have any issues with any of the methods mentioned above, then let us know in the comments below.