The fastest way to log out of Facebook on iPhone
To log out of Facebook on your iPhone, open the Facebook app, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner, scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll to the bottom of that screen and tap Log Out. The app will close and you'll be signed out immediately.
If you're using Facebook in Safari or another web browser instead of the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen, scroll down to Settings & Privacy, select Settings, scroll to the bottom, and tap Log Out. The process is the same whether you use the app or the browser.
Key Takeaways
- The Facebook app logs you out through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Log Out at the bottom of the menu.
- Logging out of the app does not automatically log you out of Facebook in your web browser — you need to do each separately.
- If you forget your password after logging out, you can reset it using your email address or phone number on the Facebook login screen.
- Logging out is different from deactivating your account; logging out simply signs you out, while deactivation hides your profile temporarily.
Why you might want to log out
You may want to log out if you're sharing your iPhone with someone else, if you're concerned about account security, or if you're taking a break from Facebook. Logging out prevents anyone else who picks up your phone from seeing your messages, photos, or personal information. It also clears your session, so if your phone is lost or stolen, someone cannot access your account through the app.
Logging out is also useful if you want to switch to a different Facebook account on the same device. After you log out, you can log back in with a different email address or phone number.
The difference between logging out and other account actions
Logging out simply signs you out of the app or browser. Your account still exists, your data is still there, and you can log back in anytime using your password. Nothing is deleted or hidden from other people.
Deactivating your account is different. When you deactivate, your profile, photos, and posts become hidden from other users, but Facebook keeps your data. You can reactivate anytime within 30 days by logging back in. After 30 days, Facebook may delete your account permanently, though this can take longer.
Deleting your account is permanent. Facebook removes your profile, photos, posts, and most of your data after 30 days. Some information may remain in backups for a limited time, but your account cannot be recovered.
What happens after you log out
Once you log out, the Facebook app will no longer show your feed, messages, or notifications. The next time you open the app, you'll see the login screen asking for your email or phone number and password. You won't receive push notifications from Facebook until you log back in.
If you have Facebook Messenger installed as a separate app, logging out of the main Facebook app does not log you out of Messenger. You need to log out of Messenger separately by opening that app, tapping your profile picture in the bottom right, scrolling down to Log Out, and tapping it.
Logging out of Facebook in your web browser
If you use Facebook on Safari, Chrome, or another iPhone browser, the logout process is similar but slightly different. Open Facebook in your browser, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom of the screen, tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Scroll to the bottom and tap Log Out.
Keep in mind that logging out of the Facebook app does not log you out of the browser version, and vice versa. If you use both, you need to log out of each one separately to fully sign out of your account on your iPhone.
If you can't find the log out button
If you're using an older version of the Facebook app, the menu layout might be slightly different. Make sure you're scrolling all the way to the bottom of the Settings menu — the Log Out button is always at the very bottom, below all other options. If you still don't see it, try updating the Facebook app through the App Store.
If the app is frozen or not responding, force-close it by swiping up from the bottom of your screen (or swiping down from the top right on older iPhones) and closing the Facebook app. Then open it again and try the logout process.
Logging back in after you log out
When you're ready to use Facebook again, open the app and you'll see the login screen. Enter the email address or phone number associated with your account, then enter your password. If you've forgotten your password, tap Forgotten Password? on the login screen, enter your email or phone number, and follow the steps to reset it.
Facebook will send a reset link to your email or a code to your phone. Use that link or code to create a new password, then log back in with your new password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does logging out delete my Facebook account?
No. Logging out only signs you out of the app or browser. Your account, photos, messages, and all your data remain on Facebook's servers. You can log back in anytime with your password and everything will be there.
Will I still get Facebook notifications after I log out?
No. Once you log out, you won't receive push notifications from Facebook on your iPhone until you log back in. If you have Messenger installed separately, you'll still get Messenger notifications unless you log out of that app too.
If I log out of the Facebook app, am I also logged out of Messenger?
No. The Facebook app and Messenger app are separate. Logging out of one does not log you out of the other. You need to open Messenger, tap your profile picture, scroll down, and tap Log Out to sign out of Messenger.
Can someone else use my Facebook account if I just log out?
Not through the app on your iPhone. Once you log out, they would need your password to log back in. However, if your iPhone is unlocked and someone opens the Facebook app before you log out, they could access your account. Logging out protects against this.
What do I do if I forgot my password after logging out?
On the Facebook login screen, tap Forgotten Password? Enter your email address or phone number, and Facebook will send you a reset link or code. Follow the instructions to create a new password, then log in with that new password.