How to Deactivate Messenger: Step-by-Step Guide

Even if Facebook Messenger is one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, it is not always useful or safe for everyone. Some users choose to disable it for privacy reasons, to reduce online distractions & take a break from social media. On this blog, we explore all the instructions on how to do so on different devices. Learn how to deactivate your Messenger account!

Why Deactivate Facebook Messenger?

Privacy Concerns and Data Collection

Messenger, as part of Meta, is pretty much known for collecting user data. These include information about your contacts, location, linked Facebook devices and statistics on app usage. If you are concerned about digital privacy, this amount of data collection may be pretty excessive. For these reasons, disabling the app helps: Reduce the risk of your data being used for targeted advertising & behavioral analytics purposes.

Reducing Distractions and Improving Focus

Messenger notifications interrupt your online sessions. While sometimes useful, the pressure to respond to messages can lead to anxiety and lower productivity. Deactivating Messenger, even temporarily, allows you to take a digital break, improve concentration & moderate your screen time :)

Security and Online Safety

Phishing attempts, hackers, malicious links, viruses & spam messages have increased on instant messaging platforms. Messenger is not exempt from all these threats. By disabling it, scammers won't be able to reach you or deliver suspicious content. This is quite especially relevant if you use Facebook only occasionally and do not need your Messenger account to be active. Learn how deactivate Facebook Messenger below!

Deleting Messenger vs. Deactivating Facebook Messenger: Deactivate or delete your account? 

Deleting Messenger means uninstalling the app from your mobile device, which means you won't be able to open it or receive notifications, but your account will still exist. As soon as you reinstall it and log into Facebook, the messages you sent and your contacts will be available again. 

However, deactivating means temporarily suspending your messaging account. When deactivating Facebook, your contacts won't be able to send you messages, and your profile will be inactive. Also, your previous conversations won't be deleted, and your contacts will be able to read them.

👉 Deactivating Messenger requires to deactivate your Facebook account first, as Messenger cannot be disabled separately :)

How to Deactivate Facebook Messenger Account

Learn How to Deactivate Messenger Account on iPhone and Android

1. Open Messenger on your mobile device.
2. Log in using your username & password.
3. Tap the Settings Menu.
4. Go to Settings.
5. Go to Account Center, which will open Facebook settings.
6. In the Account Settings section, select Personal Details.
7. Go to Account ownership and control.
8. Select Deactivation or deletion.
9. Select the Deactivate account option and enter your password to confirm.
10. Once your Facebook account is deactivated, your Messenger account will also become inactive :)

How to Deactivate FB Messenger on a Computer

In the web browser, follow these easy steps:

1. Log in to Facebook.
2. Click on your profile photo.
3. Go to Settings & Privacy and then to Settings.
4. Click on Accounts Center.
5. Then go to Personal Details.
6. Go to Account ownership and control.
7. Click Deactivation or deletion.
8. Deactivate your account and enter your password.
9. Messenger will also be deactivated.
10. This is how to deactivate Messenger on Facebook.

What Happens After You Deactivate Messenger?

After deactivating Messenger: 

• Your profile will no longer be available. 
• Friends and contacts will not be able to send you messages or see your status. 
• Your previous conversations will still be visible in the chats of the people you talked to. 
• You can access it at any time by simply logging in again :)

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How Can I Deactivate Messenger Without Deactivating Facebook

You have to deactivate your Facebook account to deactivate Messenger. Since Messenger is linked directly to your Facebook account, deactivating it requires deactivating Facebook first. If you want to use Facebook without being available on Messenger, it is recommended to adjust your settings to appear offline.

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How do I Deactivate my Messenger Account Without Deleting It?

How to Appear Offline on Messenger

If you want to keep yourself unavailable, you can change your status to "invisible":

1. Open Messenger.
2. Access the Options menu, next to Chats.
3. Click the Toggle next to Active status: ON or OFF.
4. Click Save.
5. This way, you will still be able to use Messenger without being online.

How to Disable Facebook Messenger Notifications

If constant interruptions are the problem, the best thing to do is to turn off notifications:

1. Open Messenger.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines located in the bottom right corner of the screen.
3. Go to Settings.
4. Select Notifications and sounds.
5. Toggle the option OFF.
6. This is how to disable Messenger on Facebook to reduce distractions without disabling your account.

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Stands Adblocker: The Best Choice for Privacy and Security

What Is Stands Adblocker?

Stands Adblocker is an ad blocking software that protects your Internet browsing. It aims to offer a safer, faster, and ad-free experience, which is especially important in an environment where social media platforms, including the Facebook website, are data-intensive and heavily rely on targeted advertising :)

Why You Should Use Stands Adblocker for Facebook?

Facebook uses a business model based on advertising and user data collection. Messenger is also part of this ecosystem, which means that your usage habits can be tracked to target you with ads. With Stands Adblocker, you can decide to block or limit trackers & cookies, reducing your exposure to ads. Download your Chrome Ad Blocker.

Key Features and Advantages

• Blocking of pop-up ads all over the web.
• Protection against trackers and cookies that collect personal data without authorization.
• Improved browsing speed by removing unnecessary ads.
• Easy Chrome Ad Blocker that adapts to various devices and web browsers.

FAQ

How do I deactivate Facebook Messenger?

The process requires first deactivating your Facebook account. This is done from Facebook settings, in the Account ownership and control, and Deactivation & deletion section. Once you choose to deactivate your Facebook account, Messenger will also be deactivated. Keep in mind that if you only delete Facebook Messenger app from your mobile, your profile will still be available.

Can I reactivate Messenger after deactivating it?

Messenger can be reactivated at any time by simply logging back into Facebook or directly into the Messenger app. Deactivation is a temporary and reversible measure, ideal for those who want to disconnect for a while without losing access to their information.

What happens to my messages after deactivating Messenger?

Even if you deactivate your account, the messages you previously sent will remain in your contacts' conversation, even if your profile is no longer active. What changes is that they will no longer be able to send you new messages or view your online status.