Yes, it is possible to deactivate both your Facebook account and Messenger app, but you need to do it separately. Here’s a quick rundown of how to deactivate each one:
Deactivating your Facebook account
To deactivate your Facebook account:
- Go to Facebook.com and click on the account menu (arrow icon) in the top right corner
- Select “Settings & Privacy” then click “Settings”
- Click “Your Facebook Information” in the left sidebar
- Select “Deactivation and Deletion”
- Choose “Deactivate Account” and follow the on-screen prompts
Deactivating your Facebook account temporarily disables it without deleting any of your information. You can reactivate it at any time by logging back in with your credentials.
Deactivating Messenger
To deactivate the Messenger app:
- Open the Messenger app on your device
- Tap your profile icon in the top left
- Scroll down and tap “Account Settings”
- Select “Deactivate Messenger”
- Confirm that you want to deactivate Messenger
This will sign you out of the Messenger app on that device. You’ll need to repeat the process on any other devices where you have Messenger installed. Deactivating Messenger won’t delete your conversations – they’ll still be there if you reactivate it later.
Important things to know
- Deactivating Facebook and Messenger are separate actions – you need to deactivate each one individually
- You can continue using Facebook while Messenger is deactivated, and vice versa
- Deactivating doesn’t delete any data – it just temporarily disables the account/app
- You can reactivate your Facebook account and Messenger at any time by logging back in
- Facebook may deactivate accounts that have been inactive for a prolonged period
Why deactivate Facebook and Messenger?
Here are some common reasons why people choose to deactivate their Facebook and Messenger accounts:
- Take a break from social media and online connectivity
- Increase productivity by reducing distractions
- Spend less time online and more time offline
- Protect privacy and limit data collection
- Remove unwanted notifications and alerts
- Prevent impulsive usage and screen time
- Compartmentalize different areas of life and communication
Deactivating can provide a temporary respite for people feeling overwhelmed by social media. It allows you to step away without losing your profile and connections permanently.
What happens when you deactivate?
Here’s what happens when you deactivate your Facebook account and Messenger app:
Facebook account deactivation
- Your profile, photos, posts, videos, and information are hidden
- Friends can’t search for your profile or see it in suggestions
- You don’t show up in friends lists or as a friend suggestion
- You can’t be tagged in posts or photos
- Your messages are no longer delivered
- You don’t receive notifications or alerts
- Your Facebook groups remain intact but you’re removed as a member
- You can reactivate your account by logging in at any time
Messenger deactivation
- You’re logged out of Messenger on that device
- Your messages remain in your Messenger history
- You stop receiving Messenger notifications and messages
- You can still use Messenger on other devices where it’s still active
- You can reactivate Messenger by logging in again
In both cases, deactivation is intended to be temporary – your data remains stored so you can pick up where you left off if you later choose to reactivate.
How long does deactivation last?
There is no time limit on how long you can keep Facebook and Messenger deactivated. You can reactivate at any time by simply logging back into the app or website. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Facebook may deactivate accounts that have been inactive for over a year. But don’t worry, no data is deleted.
- Messenger data is saved until you decide to delete your account permanently.
- The longer you stay deactivated, the more out of touch you may become with updates to the platforms.
- Staying deactivated for longer periods means missing out on connections, events, memories, and information shared by friends.
Ultimately it’s up to you how long deactivation lasts. Whether it’s a short social media cleanse or an indefinite hiatus, you control when and if to reactivate your accounts.
Permanent deletion
If you wish to permanently delete your Facebook or Messenger account and all associated data, that is an option but it is irreversible. Here is how to permanently delete each one:
Delete Facebook account
- Click the account menu in the top right of Facebook
- Select “Settings & Privacy” then “Settings”
- Click “Your Facebook Information” in the left sidebar
- Choose “Deactivation and Deletion”
- Click “Delete Account” and follow the prompts
Delete Messenger account
- Open Messenger and tap your profile icon
- Go to “Account Settings” and select “Delete Account”
- Confirm that you want to permanently delete your account
Once deleted, your information and conversations are removed from Facebook and Messenger servers and cannot be recovered.
Other deactivation options
If you don’t want to fully deactivate your Facebook or Messenger accounts, here are a few other options to consider:
- Disable notifications – Stops you receiving alerts and sounds without deactivating accounts
- Unfollow friends or Pages – Stay connected but stop seeing their posts
- Limit login time – Set restrictions on app usage and accessibility
- Adjust privacy settings – Limit the audience who can see your profile and posts
- Mute groups or chats – Avoid notifications from specific conversations
Tweaking your settings can help streamline your Facebook and Messenger experience without losing access. You can tailor things to suit your needs.
Conclusion
Deactivating your Facebook account and Messenger app is straightforward – just follow the steps outlined above. While deactivation removes you temporarily, permanent deletion is an irreversible option if you no longer wish to use the platforms at all. With Facebook’s deep integration into daily life for many people, deactivation serves as a middle ground for taking a break without losing your profile and connections forever.