How to Delete Messenger from Your Phone or Tablet

This wikiHow teaches you how to delete the Facebook Messenger app from your iPhone or Android. Deleting the Messenger app will automatically sign you out of Messenger on your phone or tablet, but you'll still be able to chat with Messenger users by using the Facebook website. If you want to delete your Messenger account, you'll need to delete your Facebook account as well.

Uninstalling Facebook Messenger

On iPhone/iPad, long-press the Messenger app and select Remove App > Delete App. On Android, open the Play Store, tap your profile picture, go to Manage apps & devices > Manage > Messenger and tap Uninstall. Uninstalling Messenger won't remove the Messenger icon in the Facebook app.

Section 1 of 6:

Uninstalling from the iPhone/iPad Home Screen

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This app icon resembles a blue speech bubble with a white bolt of lightning in it. You'll find it on one of your iPhone's Home Screens.
After a second, your phone will vibrate and pull up a menu for the Messenger app.^{[1]
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It's at the top of the menu. The button has red text and has an icon of a minus sign inside a circle.
It's the option with red text. If you tap Remove from Home Screen, the app will still be installed on your phone but can only be accessed from your App Library.
The app will be removed from your device. If you want to reinstall it, you'll have to do so from the App Store.

Section 2 of 6:

Uninstalling from the iPhone/iPad App Library

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Simply swipe all the way to the right past all of your Home Screens to find the App Library. Tap the search bar at the top of the screen and type "Messenger."
After a second, your phone will vibrate and pull up a menu for the Messenger app.
It's the option with red text.
The app will be removed from your device. If you want to reinstall it, you'll have to do so from the App Store.

Section 3 of 6:

Uninstalling from the Google Play Store

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Tap the Google Play Store app icon, which resembles a multicolored triangle on a white background.
It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
This will open a list of all the apps installed on your phone.
Scroll down until you find the Messenger option, then tap it. Doing so opens the Messenger app page.
It's at the top of the Messenger app page.^{[2]
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Doing so will confirm your choice and remove Facebook Messenger from your Android.

Section 4 of 6:

Uninstalling from the Settings App on Android

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1
Open Settings
. Tap the Settings app icon, which resembles a white gear on a light-blue background.^{[3]
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- On Samsung Galaxy phones, the Settings app icon resembles a stylized, white gear on a purple background.
2
Tap Apps & notifications. It's near the top of the menu, though you may have to scroll down to see this option on some phones. Doing so opens a list of your currently installed apps.^{[4]
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- On some phones (such as a Samsung Galaxy), this menu just says Apps.
3
Select the Facebook Messenger app. Scroll through your available apps until you find the Facebook Messenger app, then tap it.
- You may have to tap See all apps or App info before you can find the Facebook Messenger app.
4
Tap UNINSTALL. It's usually near the top of the screen.^{[5]
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- If you just see DISABLE here, tap it instead.
This will remove the Messenger app from your Android.

Section 5 of 6:

Deactivating a Messenger Account

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1
Deactivate your Facebook account. In order to see the option to deactivate your Messenger account, you'll need to deactivate your Facebook account first. You can do this in the Accounts Center if you have access, otherwise through Facebook's settings.
- Check out our in-depth guide to deactivating your Facebook account if you're not sure how to do this.
You can't deactivate your Messenger account on the computer.
The menu button looks like three horizontal lines.
4
Tap on Accounts Center. If you don't see Accounts Center or it doesn't allow you to deactivate your Messenger account this way, follow these steps:
- Tap your profile picture in the corner of the screen.
- Tap Account settings > Account ownership and control > Deactivation or deletion > Continue to Facebook account deactivation and deletion.
- Tap Continue to account deactivation and enter your password. To delete your account, tap Continue to account deletion.
To do this, tap on these menu items: Personal details > Account ownership and control > Deactivation or deletion > Continue to Facebook account deactivation and deletion.
To do this, tap Continue to account deactivation then enter your password. If you'd rather delete your account, tap Continue to account deletion.^{[6]
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Section 6 of 6:

FAQ

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1
Why do I still see the Messenger icon in the Facebook app after uninstalling it? The Facebook app will show the Messenger icon even if you don't have Messenger installed. If you tap the Messenger icon, however, nothing shows up. There is no way to remove the Messenger icon inside the Facebook app. If you want to completely remove yourself from Facebook Messenger, you'll also have to delete your Facebook account.
2
Why can't I delete Facebook Messenger from my Android? Some apps, such as System apps or pre-installed apps, cannot be deleted from Android phones. If Facebook Messenger came pre-installed on your factory-new Android phone, you may not be able to remove it.

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How do I delete the version of messenger that came installed on my phone?

Community Answer

For Android, go to all apps, the look for messenger and uninstall or reset; it cannot be removed but it can be turned off to save space. For an iPhone, you simply press down on the app for a few seconds and an x will appear over it. Click the x and you will be asked if you want to delete the app. Confirm that you want to delete it and you are done.

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I deleted Messenger but I am still getting messages. How can I stop getting messages?

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Delete the Facebook App, too. Reinstall both and log in. if you're on an iPhone, go to settings and find Messenger. You can turn notifications off so you still get the messages, just not the notifications.

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How do I delete just one conversation?

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Open the conversation, tap the options cog, then tap "delete conversation."

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The iPhone steps in this article will also work for an iPad, while the Android steps will apply to any tablet running Android 7 (Nougat) or later.

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