How To Turn Off Active Status on Facebook and Messenger

Hello there, netizen! Welcome to your go-to guide for maintaining privacy on social media. Today, we’re talking about something you’ve probably wondered about: how to turn off active status on Facebook and Messenger.

Whether you want some time alone or need a break from the constant buzz of notifications, achieving invisibility on Facebook can give you some peace of mind. As an expert in social media, I know how crucial it is to have some control over your online visibility.

Don’t worry if that was too brief; we’ll delve deeper into the process below, with a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you out.

Turning off Active Status on Facebook

Here’s how you can become invisible on Facebook:

1. Open Facebook and click on the small arrow in the top-right corner of the page.
2. A drop-down menu will appear. Click on ‘Settings & Privacy,’ then select ‘Settings.’
3. On the left side, click ‘Privacy.’
4. Scroll down to the section titled ‘How People Find and Contact You.’ Here, you’ll see an option that reads ‘When you’re active, [people you chat with and follow] can see that you’re active.’
5. Simply click on ‘Edit’ and then choose ‘No one’ from the drop-down list.

And just like that, your active status on Facebook is turned off!

Turning off Active Status on Messenger

1. Open the Messenger app and click on your profile picture in the top-left corner (on iOS) or top-right corner (on Android).
2. Scroll down and select ‘Active Status.’
3. Toggle off the option that says ‘Show when you’re active.’

Voila! You have successfully disabled your active status on Messenger.

Syncing Across Devices

If you’re a multi-device user like me, you should know that changing your active status settings on one device won’t automatically change it on all devices.

So, I recommend checking each device where you have Facebook or Messenger installed. Repeat the steps provided for each device to ensure consistency of your active status.

Exceptions to the Rule

It’s also worth noting that the feature to turn off active status on Facebook is device-specific. For example, let’s say you turn off your active status on your phone, but then log into Facebook on your computer.

Your active status will still show on the computer until you also turn it off there. This could be a little frustrating, but once you get into the habit of adjusting your settings per device, it’ll be second nature.

Using ‘Appear Offline’ in Chat

Another often overlooked tip is the “Appear Offline” feature in chat. You may want to appear offline to certain people or lists. To do this:

1. Click on the chat sidebar on the right side of the screen.
2. Click the settings gear icon in the upper right corner of the list.
3. Select “Turn off active status for…”
4. Choose the desired option.

This will allow you to appear offline to most people, while still being able to see which of your contacts are online.

Digging Deeper into Messenger’s Settings

For those who use Messenger without a Facebook account, there’s a different path to access the active status settings:

1. Open Messenger and tap on your profile picture.
2. Tap on “Privacy.”
3. Here, you’ll find the same ‘Active Status’ option as before.

Disabling this setting will achieve the same effect: your contacts won’t be able to see when you’re online and vice versa.

The Impact on Messenger Groups

When you disable your active status, it won’t affect your participation in Messenger groups. You can still send, receive, and read messages in any group chat.

However, group members will not be able to see if you are online or not, creating a more private chatting experience.

The Caveat: Facebook.com versus Messenger.com

The instructions provided apply to Facebook and Messenger within the main Facebook website and the official Messenger app. However, if you use the standalone Messenger website, Messenger.com, the setting isn’t as straightforward.

But no worries, the process to disable active status is similar:

1. Click on the settings gear icon on the left-hand side of the screen.
2. Select ‘Settings.’
3. Find and deselect the ‘Show when you’re active’ option.

Privacy: A Fundamental Right

Social media shouldn’t compromise your privacy. Turning off your active status is just one way to enhance your privacy on Facebook and Messenger.

There are numerous other settings you can tweak and features you can use to make your social media experience more personal and private. As an advocate for digital privacy, I encourage you to explore these settings and take control of your online experience.

Some Insider Tips and Common Pitfalls

• Turning off your active status on Facebook doesn’t automatically turn it off on Messenger, and vice versa. You have to manually turn it off on both.
• You won’t be able to see other people’s active status if you turn yours off. So, if you like to know when others are online, you might not want to disable this feature.

I recommend turning off active status on both platforms if you truly wish to remain unseen when online. Some people may only use one of the two platforms to communicate with you, so it’s best to make sure your bases are covered.

Conclusion

Learning how to turn off active status on Facebook and Messenger isn’t a difficult task. It’s all about knowing where to look in the settings. Taking control of your online visibility gives you the power to engage with your social network on your own terms.

Remember, the most important aspect is to navigate to the right section of the settings on both platforms. Once there, the steps are simple and straightforward. Keep your social experience comfortable, and don’t hesitate to take the necessary steps to protect your privacy.

FAQs

If I turn off my active status, will I still receive messages?

Yes. You will continue to receive messages. However, others won’t see you as ‘online’ or ‘active.’

Will turning off my active status affect my ability to see others’ statuses?

Yes. If you turn off your active status, you will not be able to see the active status of others.