How to Turn Off Active Status on Facebook and Messenger

Stop Facebook from showing when you are active or recently active, and remember to update the setting everywhere you use Facebook and Messenger.

โšกShort answer

In Facebook, open Menu, Settings and privacy, Settings, and scroll to Audience and visibility. Tap Active status, turn off Show when you're active, and confirm Turn off. Repeat the Active Status change anywhere else you use Facebook or Messenger.

Before you start

When Active Status is off, you will not be able to see when friends and connections are active, recently active, or in a chat with you. Facebook says the setting must be turned off everywhere you use Facebook and Messenger.

Follow the steps

  1. Open Active Status settings

    Tap Menu, expand Settings and privacy, and tap Settings. Under Audience and visibility, choose Active status.

    Active status under Audience and visibility in Facebook settings on Android.
    Open Active Status settings. ยท Tap to enlarge
  2. Turn off Show when you're active

    Switch off Show when you're active. Read the explanation about what changes when the setting is disabled.

    The Show when you're active setting in Facebook on Android.
    Turn off Show when you're active. ยท Tap to enlarge
  3. Confirm and repeat in Messenger

    Tap Turn off. Then open Messenger and turn off Active Status there as well, and repeat on other devices where you use Facebook or Messenger.

    Facebook's confirmation for turning off Active Status on Android.
    Confirm the change and repeat it in Messenger. ยท Tap to enlarge

A couple of useful details

Will people still see that I am active in Messenger?

They may if Active Status remains enabled in Messenger or on another device. Turn it off everywhere you use Facebook and Messenger.

Can I still send and receive messages?

Yes. Turning off Active Status changes activity visibility; it does not disable messaging.

Can I see when other people are active after I turn it off?

Facebook says you can only see other people's Active Status when your own is turned on.

Does turning off Active Status log me out?

No. It changes the activity indicator and does not sign you out of Facebook.

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