Discover How to Deactivate Messenger Using Android, iPhone, and Desktop in 2025?

| Updated on April 2, 2025

Need a short break from Messenger?  Whether you want to focus on your goals or are concerned about your privacy, deactivating  Facebook Messenger is a good start. 

However, it is important to understand that Messenger is a part of Facebook, so you’ll need to deactivate your FB account first to disable Messenger entirely. And if you are not ready for that, simply turn off the notification or delete the Messenger application from your device.

Moving further, without any delay let’s begin with this article to learn, “How to deactivate Messenger on iOS, Android and Desktop?”, in a simple way. 

Quick Answer

To deactivate Messenger: Open Facebook Messenger>> Menu>> Settings>> See more in Account Center>> Personal details>> Account ownership and control>> Deactivation or deletion>> Facebook profile>> Deactivate account>> Continue>> Enter Facebook password>> Continue

How to deactivate Messenger on iOS and Android? 

Interestingly, both iOS and Android implement the same process to deactivate Messenger, for which hardly 3–4 minutes are needed. 

Adhere to the steps mentioned below to run the procedure.

  1. Firstly, deactivate or go for the “Take a Break” option on your Facebook account to continue the Messenger deactivation process. Check out the quick process below.
To deactivate your FB account: Log into your Facebook account>> go to Settings & Privacy>> Settings>> Accounts Center>> Personal details>> Account ownership and control>> Deactivation or deletion>> Deactivate account
  1. Open Facebook Messenger on your device. 
    Facebook Messenger
  1. Tap on the three horizontal lines (☰), i.e., Menu, located in the bottom right corner.
    Tap on the hamburger menu icon
  1. Tap on the Settings option.
    Tap on the Settings option
  1. Scroll down to the “See more in Accounts Center” option, written in blue color. 
    Scroll down to the “See more in Accounts Center” option
  1. Head over to the Personal details.
    Tap on Personal details
  1. Tap on Account ownership and control
    Tap on Account ownership and control
  1. Navigate to the Deactivation or Deletion dialog box. 
    Navigate to the Deactivation or deletion dialog box
  1. Tap on your Facebook profile username
    Tap on your Facebook profile username
  1. Select the “Deactivate account” option. 
    Select the “Deactivate account” option
  1. Tap on Continue
    Tap on Continue
  1. Enter your Facebook account password in the given box.
    Enter your Facebook account password
  1. Lastly, tap on Continue to confirm the deactivation procedure. 
    Tap on Continue

Consequently, after sticking to the aforementioned steps, you will effortlessly disable your profile.

How to Deactivate Facebook Messenger on a Desktop? 

If you’re using your Facebook Messenger application on your computer and want to disable it now, here are the steps outlined below for you. 

  1. Login to your Facebook profile on your computer. 
    Login to your Facebook profile
  1. Tap on your profile picture icon, situated in the top right corner. 
    Tap on your profile picture
  1. Click on Settings & privacy
    Click on Settings & privacy
  1. Again, click on Settings
    Click on Settings
  1. Head over to the “See more in Accounts Center”, located on the left side panel. 
    Click on See more in Accounts Centre
  1. Navigate to the Personal details option. 
    Click on Personal details
  1. Go for the Account ownership and control
    Click on Account ownership and control
  1. Select the Deactivation or deletion dialog box.
    Click on the Deactivation or deletion option
  1. Click on your Facebook account username.
    Click on your Facebook account username
  1. Click on the Deactivate account option and then on Continue.
    Click on the Deactivate account option, and then on Continue
  1. Enter your Facebook account password in the given box. 
    Enter the Facebook account password in the given box
  1. Click on Continue to confirm the deactivation of your Messenger ID. 
    Click on Continue

Therefore, by executing the above-mentioned steps carefully, you can deactivate your Facebook Messenger user ID in no time. 

What Will Happen Next After Messenger is Deactivated?

Have you ever wondered what will happen once you deactivate your Messenger, or how your user profile will look? Indeed, it will affect your account visibility and interaction.

So, to know more about this, check out the pointers listed next to it. 

  • Messaging: After deactivate Messenger, you will no longer receive any text or notifications from your loved ones. 
  • Other Meta Accounts: Deactivated Messenger does not interfere with your other Meta platforms, such as Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and others; you can continue using them without any complications.  
  • Reactivation: If you are ready to operate your profile again, you can simply log back into your Messenger by entering the previous credentials. 

In essence, deactivation of your FB Messenger will temporarily remove your presence from the application, but you can always reactivate it whenever you need to use it again. 

Lastly, if you find any issues during the process that are unable to be resolved despite numerous attempts, consider contacting the Messenger Help Centre directly and wait for the revert. 

Common Reasons Why you Should Deactivate your Facebook Messenger Account?

Deactivating the FB Messenger account can be a worthwhile action for various personal, mental wellness, and security purposes.

Here is a breakdown of some key reasons you might consider deactivating your login credentials for a short time. 

Take a Healthy Break from Social Media

Disabling your profile will assist you in stepping away from the platform without losing your account or data. After this, you can focus on your studies or health. 

Sometimes, social media affects our mental health badly, and taking a small break from it will hopefully provide a sort of relaxation. 

Privacy Concerns

The server collects a moderate amount of your data and constantly tracks your interactions, which can increase the possibility of privacy infringement. 

Also, your chats on the forum are not end-to-end encrypted by default, which makes them accessible on Facebook’s servers.  

Enhance Productivity

Stepping aside from this engaging app will help you minimize time-wasting from repeatedly removing unwanted people from Messenger and excessive scrolling. 

Likewise, you can spend your valuable attention on your ambitions.

Maintain Connection

Once you temporarily remove your account, it will promote more in-person conversations with your friends and family.

In a nutshell, if your Facebook Messenger is not working, turning into a distraction, or leading to a privacy concern, disabling it can be a great way to manage your virtual lifestyle.  

Conclusion 

To wrap it up! Do not forget, as we have stated before, Facebook and Messenger are interlinked with each other you cannot use one of them at a time. 

Furthermore, deactivating your Messenger account will empower you to reduce stress, improve your mental health, manage your time, and enhance privacy. However, you can simply restore it whenever you want. Well, if the reason for deactivating your account is just a person then you can simply remove him from your messenger or can restrict an individual on messenger

FAQ

Is there a deactivate button available on Messenger?

No, there is no such direct button available on the application. You need to go to the profile settings and follow the given instructions to deactivate your account. 

Does Messenger still work if I deactivate it?

No, you cannot operate Messenger after deactivating it. However, your friends can still read the old chats but won’t be able to contact you again on Facebook or Messenger. 

Why am I not able to delete my Messenger account?

If you are not able to delete your account, here are some possible reasons: 

  1. Check your internet connectivity. 
  2. Recheck the password you entered to confirm the deactivation instructions. 
  3. Your profile is still logged in to other devices.
  4. Messenger is a part of FB, make sure you are not active on your FB account at the moment. 
  5. Patiently wait for the given time by Meta, if any. 
How do I deactivate Messenger on my iPhone?

To deactivate Facebook Messenger: 

  1. Open your account. 
  2. Tap on Menu
  3. Tap on Settings
  4. Head over to “See more in Accounts Centre”. 
  5. Tap on Personal details
  6. Go for Account ownership and control
  7. Navigate to Deactivation or Deletion
  8. Select your Facebook profile
  9. Tap on Deactivate account and then Continue
  10. Enter your Facebook password
  11. Lastly, tap on Continue to finish the steps. 

Sources: 


Janvi Panthri

Senior Writer, Editor


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