How do I deactivate my Facebook Messenger account?

Answered by John Hunt

To deactivate your Facebook Messenger account, you can follow these steps on both iOS and Android platforms:

1. Open Messenger: Locate and open the Messenger app on your device’s home screen or app drawer.

2. Access Account Settings: Within the Messenger app, tap on your profile picture, typically located in the top left corner of the screen. This will open a menu with various options.

3. Choose Account Settings: Scroll down the menu and tap on “Account Settings.” This will take you to the settings page where you can manage your Messenger account.

4. Navigate to Account Ownership and Control: Once you are in the Account Settings, look for the option called “Account Ownership and Control.” Tap on it to proceed.

5. Select Deactivation and Deletion: In the Account Ownership and Control section, you will find several options related to managing your Messenger account. Look for the option labeled “Deactivation and Deletion” and tap on it.

6. Deactivate your Messenger Account: On the Deactivation and Deletion page, you will be presented with two choices: deactivating or deleting your account. Since you want to deactivate your account, select the “Deactivate” option.

7. Confirm Deactivation: After selecting the deactivation option, Messenger will ask you to confirm your decision. Read the information provided and tap on “Continue to Account Deactivation” to proceed.

8. Provide Reason (Optional): Messenger may prompt you to select a reason for deactivating your account. This step is optional, and you can choose to skip it by tapping on the “Skip” button.

9. Deactivate Account: Messenger will show you a confirmation message explaining that deactivating your account will log you out and hide your profile. If you still wish to proceed, tap on the “Deactivate” button.

Congratulations! You have successfully deactivated your Facebook Messenger account. Remember that deactivating your Messenger account will not delete your Facebook account; it will only disable the Messenger app and hide your profile from others. If you decide to reactivate your account in the future, you can simply log in again with your Facebook credentials.

Please note that the steps provided are accurate at the time of writing this response, but Facebook may update its app and interface, which could lead to slight variations. If you encounter any difficulties or discrepancies, it’s best to refer to Facebook’s official support documentation or contact their customer support for further assistance.