How to Turn Off Active Status on Facebook

Quick Tips

• For desktop, open Facebook > click the Messenger icon > click the three-dot menu > select Active Status > toggle it off.
• Want to do it on the FB app? Launch the app > tap on your profile picture > Settings & privacy > Settings > Active Status > toggle off Show when you’re active.
• If you are on the Messenger app, click on the three horizontal lines icon > Active Status > toggle off Show when you’re active.

What Happens When You Turn Off Active Status on Facebook?

• When you turn off your Active Status on Facebook, your friends and contacts won’t see the green dot. This means you appear offline to everyone.
• Even with Active Status turned off, you will continue to receive messages and notifications as usual. Moreover, you can make and receive voice and video calls on Messenger.
• Turning off Active Status does not affect read receipts. Unless you turn off read receipts separately, your contacts will still see if you’ve read their messages.

Also Read: How to turn off your birthday on Facebook

How to Turn Off Active Status on FB Using Desktop

Note: To go entirely offline on Facebook Messenger, you must turn off your active status on all the devices you’ve logged into.

Step 1: Open Facebook and click on the Messenger icon in the upper-right corner.

Step 2: From the drop-down menu, click on the three-dot icon.

Step 3: In the Chat Settings menu, select Active Status.

Step 4: You will see an Active Status pop-up; toggle off the slider and press the Save button.

There you go. You have successfully turned off your green light on Facebook with ease. Sometimes, you will be shown as available even after turning off the active status. Well, in these cases, we recommend logging out of your account. 

How to Turn Off Online Status on the Facebook App 

Step 1: Open the Facebook app > tap on your profile picture at the upper right corner.

Step 2: Scroll down and select Settings & Privacy. From the drop-down, tap on Settings.

Step 3: Scroll to the Audience and visibility section and tap Active Status. On the next screen, toggle off Show when you’re active.

Step 4: In the pop-up, tap Turn Off to confirm.

That’s it. The green dot indicating your availability will be disabled, and you will appear offline on FB. If you want to turn off your active status on your mobile device, continue reading. 

How to Turn Off Active Status on Messenger

Step 1: Open the Messenger app. Then, navigate to the three horizontal lines icon at the top left.

Step 2: Tap the Settings (gear) icon > tap on Active status under Profile.

Step 3: On the next screen, toggle off Show when you’re active. Now, select your preference and tap Pause. 

Also Read: Can I see who viewed my Facebook Story?

How to Control Who Can See You Online on Facebook From Web

Note that you don’t have the same options to execute using Facebook or Messenger apps. So, it would help if you stuck to the web browser to execute the method.

Step 1: Open Facebook and click on the Messenger icon in the upper right corner.

Step 2: From the drop-down menu, click on the three-dot icon.

Step 3: In the Chat Settings menu, select Active Status.

Step 4: You will see an Active Status pop-up toggle on the slider. Enable it. 

Step 5: Click on Edit next to Active Status: ON for some.

Step 6: In the Add people pop-up, search, add friends, and click Save. 

Step 7: Finally, click Save to make yourself visible to selected profiles. 

FAQs