With Facebook experiencing numerous and massive data breach scandals, more and more subscribers/users are starting to like and are becoming inclined to delete not only their account but also their Facebook Messenger. The Cambridge Analytica scandal did not also help. In fact, it has crushed the stock price of Facebook and have instilled fear on the users especially on those who are highly concerned about online privacy and security. If you are one of them and you would wish to deactivate your account, sad to say this is not enough to protect you. Unfortunately, Facebook Messenger also holds the same information that your Facebook account has. Furthermore, even after you deactivate your Facebook account, your information would still linger with them. Hence, we highly recommend that you permanently delete not only your Facebook account but also your Facebook Messenger.
Why you should also delete Facebook Messenger?
Sadly, Facebook Messenger is not private. In fact, it ranks really bad in terms of security as this app could actually track your behavior. Aside from that, it also lacks a default encryption option and it also does not encrypt your past conversations. Furthermore, it could even access your phone’s or device’s microphone, contacts and camera.
How to deactivate Messenger?
Deactivating is much easier and much simpler than deleting your account. Take note that if your Messenger account is connected to your Facebook account, you will need to deactivate your Facebook account first. Below is a step by step guide on how to deactivate your Facebook Messenger. These steps apply to both Android and iOS devices.
- Open Messenger
- Beside the word chats, you will see your profile picture. Tap on it.
- Tap Account settings. For Android devices, tap Legal and Policies
- Tap delete your account and information. You could see this below your Facebook information.
- Tap deactivate
- Enter your password
To reactivate your Facebook Messenger, all you have to do is log in your username and enter your password.
Take note that deactivating your Facebook account will not deactivate your messenger account automatically as this app is separate from Facebook. Hence, you could also create a new messenger account using your phone number and name instead of your Facebook account if you wish.
Could you deactivate Messenger without deactivating Facebook?
Unfortunately, as mentioned earlier, no you cannot deactivate Facebook’s Messenger and at the same time keep your Facebook account. The only way we suggest is to turn off your chat by hiding your status and disabling notifications.
How to turn off Facebook Messenger?
- Click on your profile picture
- Tap active status
- Use toggle to turn on or off your Active Status
To disable notifications, follow the steps below:
- Go to Notifications and Sounds
- Turn on Do not disturb
How to delete your Messenger account?
As mentioned earlier, for you to be able to delete your Facebook Messenger completely, you will need to delete your Facebook account first and remove all your data.
- Log into your Facebook
- Tap on the small arrow found on top right corner.
- Tap on your Facebook Information on the left menu panel
- Tap Delete your account and information
Keep in mind that once the deletion process starts you will no longer reactivate your account or retrieve any content you have added to your Facebook. Hence, before you confirm that you would like to delete your Facebook account, take into consideration that you will not be able to get back anything you have posted on your Facebook account. Do not worry as you will be given the chance and option to download all your pictures and posts.
Deleting your Facebook Messenger is the first step to be able to secure your privacy online and on social media. If you do delete your Facebook Messenger due to security and privacy reasons, we recommend that you also check out your other social media accounts and their privacy terms and conditions. This way, you could be assured that you are really protected online.
