Facebook Messenger is a popular messaging app that allows users to communicate with friends and family. One of Messenger’s key features is the ability to make video calls, allowing you to not just hear but also see the person you are conversing with.
While video calling can be fun and useful, there may be times when you want to disable this feature. For example, you may not always want to show your face or surroundings to the other person. Or you may find video calls distracting and prefer simple text messaging or voice calls instead.
So can you disable or turn off video calling in Facebook Messenger? Let’s take a look at the options.
Disabling video calls through settings
The easiest way to disable video calls in Messenger is through the app’s settings. Here is how to do it:
- Open the Facebook Messenger app on your device.
- Tap on your profile picture at the top left.
- Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings.
- Scroll down and tap on Media and Contacts.
- Toggle off the Video Calling switch.
This will completely disable video calling functionality in Messenger. People will no longer be able to start or receive video calls with you. Any incoming video call requests will be rejected automatically.
The other person will get a message saying video calling is unavailable and only text or audio calls can be made. This provides a quick and simple way to opt out of Messenger video calls.
Blocking individual users from video calling you
If you only want to block specific people from video calling you, and still keep the feature enabled for others, that is also possible.
Go to that person’s chat thread in Messenger. Tap on their name at the top to open their contact profile. Look for the option Block Video Calls and toggle it on. This will prevent this particular user from initiating or receiving video calls with you.
You can always unblock video calls for that person later on if needed. This gives you more granular control over video calling without fully disabling the feature.
Using Do Not Disturb mode
Messenger also offers a Do Not Disturb mode that can temporarily disable all notifications and calls, including video. To enable it:
- Open Messenger and tap your profile pic.
- Tap on Active Status.
- Select Do Not Disturb.
You can customize the duration for which Do Not Disturb will stay on. While enabled, you will not receive any video call requests or notifications. People trying to reach you will get an auto-reply that you have notifications silenced.
This serves as a quick workaround to disable video calls for a set period of time. Do Not Disturb mode has to be turned on manually, so it does not permanently block video calls.
Using Airplane Mode
Switching on Airplane Mode on your device is another simple option to temporarily disable video calls. Airplane Mode suspends all network connectivity, including mobile data and WiFi. This causes all messaging and calling capabilities to be disabled.
While Airplane Mode is enabled, you will not receive any video call requests or notifications from Messenger. People trying to contact you will get a message that you are not connected to the internet.
The downside is Airplane Mode disables many other useful features on your device. Also, you have to remember to turn it off later for connectivity to resume normally. But it can act as a quick toggle to stop video calls as long as Airplane Mode remains active.
Third-party apps
Some third party apps claim to offer the ability to directly disable video calling within Messenger:
- FlyperLink – Block Video Calls for Facebook
- Video Call Blocker for Facebook
- No Video Calls on Facebook Messenger
However, the reliability of these apps is questionable, and they may not work as advertised or cause problems. Most users are better off using the native blocking options offered within Messenger itself.
Conclusion
In summary, while there is no direct setting to permanently disable video calls within Messenger, there are several ways to block video functionality:
- Disable video calling in Messenger’s settings
- Block specific users from video calling you
- Use Do Not Disturb mode to temporarily pause notifications
- Switch on Airplane mode to suspend connectivity
The easiest and most effective options are the native controls offered within Messenger itself. Settings allow you to completely disable video calls, while user blocking gives you more granular control.
Do Not Disturb and Airplane Mode work as temporary shortcuts but have to be turned on manually. Relying solely on third-party apps is not recommended as they may be unreliable. With the right settings, you can easily prevent video calls in Messenger based on your preferences.
| Method | Effect | Permanent? |
|---|---|---|
| Disable in settings | Blocks all video calls | Yes |
| Block user | Blocks specific user | Yes |
| Do Not Disturb | Temporarily blocks notifications | No |
| Airplane Mode | Temporarily blocks connectivity | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disabling video calls also block voice calls?
No, disabling video calls only affects the video functionality in Messenger. Users can still make normal voice calls and send text messages. Other communication capabilities are not impacted.
Can I selectively enable video calling for certain contacts?
Unfortunately, there is no option to whitelist specific contacts for video calling if you have globally disabled it in settings. It is only possible to selectively block contacts from video calling you.
What happens if I get a video call when they are disabled?
If you have disabled video calls, any incoming video call will automatically be rejected. The caller will get a message that video calling is unavailable and only text/voice communication is possible.
Can video calls be disabled on Facebook mobile and desktop apps?
The ability to disable video calling is currently only available in the Messenger mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. This feature is not accessible in Facebook’s main mobile or desktop apps.
Will disabling video calls improve performance and battery life?
Yes, disabling video calls can slightly improve battery life and performance as your device’s camera and other hardware are not activated during calls. However, the impact may be negligible compared to other battery draining activities.
Can video calls be disabled temporarily?
Yes, using options like Do Not Disturb or Airplane Mode can temporarily suspend video calling for as long as they remain active. Video calls will automatically be re-enabled when these modes are disabled.
Is there any way to limit video call duration?
Unfortunately, there is currently no setting to limit the duration of Messenger video calls. The calls will continue until manually disconnected by either party. Imposing a usage limit can only be done through third-party apps of questionable reliability.
Troubleshooting Tips
Video calls are still going through despite being disabled
- Double check that the Video Calling toggle is definitely turned off in Messenger’s settings.
- Force close and restart the Messenger app to ensure settings are refreshed.
- Update Messenger to the latest version in case it is a bug.
- On Android, revoke Messenger’s permissions for camera and microphone access.
- Temporarily use Airplane Mode to fully cut off connectivity.
I can’t find the option to disable video calls
- The settings may be in a different location depending on your Android version.
- Make sure you have the latest version of Messenger installed.
- Try searching for “video calls” in Messenger’s settings to locate it.
- The option only exists in the Messenger mobile apps, not the main Facebook app.
- If still not found, contact Messenger support for assistance.
Disabling video calls also removed other functionality
- Double check that only the Video Calling setting was toggled off.
- Toggle other related settings like Calls and Messages back on if they were accidentally disabled.
- Force close and restart Messenger to restore proper functioning.
Conclusion
Facebook Messenger provides multiple options to disable video calling functionality based on your preferences. The easiest way is to toggle it off in Messenger’s settings. Blocking specific users and using Do Not Disturb or Airplane Mode also allows temporary blocking of video calls.
While third party apps exist, relying on Messenger’s native controls is more reliable. With the right settings, you can disable video calling while retaining text and voice communication capabilities. Do what works best for your needs and preferences when it comes to video calls in Messenger.