How to Turn Off Active Status on Facebook

Published December 5, 2022

By default, Facebook shows your active or recently active status to followers. You can turn off active status on Facebook for privacy using this guide.

Active status on Facebook shows your contacts that you are currently or recently have been online. It’s represented by a green dot next to your profile. However, you may not want people to know whether you are online.

In that instance, you can turn off the active status feature on Facebook. Turning it off will give you a modicum of privacy by not allowing users and other contacts to find out about your online presence on the social network.

Turning off active status on Facebook is straightforward on your desktop and mobile devices. Here’s how to do it.

How to Turn Off Active Status on Facebook on a PC or Mac

First, we’ll look at turning off active status on Facebook using your desktop browser. Note that this works for all operating systems – including Chromebooks.

To turn off active status on Facebook using your web browser:

Open your default browser on your computer and head to the Facebook website.
If you haven’t already, sign in using your account details.
Once you log in, click the Messenger icon at the top right corner of the page.
Click the Options (three dots) icon at the top of the Messenger menu.
When the Chat Settings menu opens, click the Active Status option.
A new menu will open—toggle the Active Status switch to the Off position.

Configuring Active Status on Facebook

It’s also worth noting that the Active Status menu includes other options that you might want to consider.

For example, you can turn it off for all contacts, only certain people, or only some contacts. You need to keep the active status feature on to use this option. This allows you to pick and choose the friends and colleagues that you want to know your online status. You might want family members to know your status but not coworkers or vice versa.

To do this, click the Edit button and choose the people you want to show your status to or not. After selecting the option, click the Save button to continue.

How to Turn Off Active Status on Facebook on Mobile Devices

In addition to managing the active status feature through a browser on your desktop, you can also turn it off using the Facebook mobile app. This is available for Android, iPhone, and iPad users.

To manage Facebook’s active status on your phone:

Launch the Facebook app on your phone or tablet and sign in if you’re not already.
Tap the hamburger menu icon on your iPhone or iPad at the bottom right corner of the screen. It’s at the top right corner of the screen on Android phones.
Swipe down and expand the Settings & privacy menu and tap Settings.
Scroll down to the Audience and Visibility section and tap the Active Status option.
Toggle the Show when you’re active switch to the Off position and select the Turn Off option when the verification menu appears.

Hiding Your Online Status on Facebook

Usually, your friends can see when you are active (or recently active) on Facebook by looking at your profile. Of course, you can also see your connection’s status too.

However, turning off your active status on Facebook prevents your friends and other connections from seeing your online presence on your profile. Your status is no longer shown on Facebook, but you can still use all the features you’re used to. If you want your presence to be shown again, enable active status. Simply go back into Settings and flip the switch back on.

In addition to displaying your online presence, there are other privacy and security settings you should enable while on the platform. For example, you might want to stop storing off-Facebook activity for more privacy. In addition, it’s prudent to run Facebook’s privacy checkup tool and tie up any loose ends you’re unaware of.

It’s not just privacy to worry about; security is also essential. Check out these nine security settings you should change right now. Another robust security solution to set up is Two-Factor Authentication on Facebook. And if you’re tired of the social network in general, learn how to delete your Facebook account permanently.

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