Completely Close Facebook Messenger: Step-by-Step Guide for All Devices

Facebook Messenger has become an indispensable tool for communication, connecting billions of users worldwide. Whether you’re using it for personal chats, professional networking, or quick updates from friends and family, Messenger is often running in the background on your devices. While it offers convenience, there are times when you need to completely close the application to conserve battery life, minimize distractions, or simply maintain your privacy. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the detailed steps to close Facebook Messenger on various devices, ensuring it’s not actively running in the background.

Why Close Facebook Messenger?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand why you might want to close Messenger completely:

* **Battery Life:** Messenger, like many apps, can drain your battery by constantly running in the background to check for new messages and updates. Closing it can help extend your device’s battery life, especially when you’re on the go and away from a power source.
* **Reduce Distractions:** Constant notifications from Messenger can disrupt your focus and productivity. Closing the app can help you stay concentrated on tasks that require your full attention.
* **Privacy:** In certain situations, you may want to ensure that Messenger isn’t actively running to protect your privacy. This is especially important if you’re sharing your device with someone else or concerned about potential data breaches.
* **Conserve Data:** Messenger consumes data to receive and send messages, even when you’re not actively using it. Closing the app can help reduce your data usage, particularly if you have a limited data plan.
* **Free Up Resources:** Running multiple apps simultaneously can strain your device’s resources. Closing Messenger can free up RAM and processing power, improving the overall performance of your device.

Closing Facebook Messenger on Different Devices

Here are the detailed steps to completely close Facebook Messenger on different devices:

1. Closing Facebook Messenger on Android Devices

Android’s operating system allows for multiple ways to close applications. Here’s a comprehensive guide:

**Method 1: Using the Recent Apps Menu**

* **Step 1: Open the Recent Apps Menu:**
* Most Android devices have a dedicated button or gesture to open the recent apps menu. This is usually a square, three vertical lines, or three horizontal lines at the bottom of your screen. If you’re using gesture navigation, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold briefly.
* **Step 2: Locate the Messenger App:**
* Scroll through the list of recently used apps until you find the Facebook Messenger app. It will be displayed as a card or thumbnail.
* **Step 3: Close the Messenger App:**
* To close the app, you can either swipe the Messenger card left or right off the screen. Alternatively, some Android devices have a close button (an “X”) on the app card.

**Method 2: Force Stop via Settings**

* **Step 1: Open the Settings App:**
* Locate the Settings app on your Android device. It’s usually represented by a gear or cogwheel icon.
* **Step 2: Navigate to Apps:**
* Scroll down until you find “Apps,” “Applications,” or “App Manager.” The exact wording may vary depending on your Android version and device manufacturer.
* **Step 3: Find Messenger in the List of Apps:**
* You may see a list of recently opened apps. If Messenger is not listed, tap on “See all apps” or a similar option to view the complete list of installed apps.
* **Step 4: Select the Messenger App:**
* Scroll through the list and tap on “Messenger.” This will open the app’s settings page.
* **Step 5: Force Stop the App:**
* On the app’s settings page, you should see a “Force Stop” button. Tap on it. A warning message may appear asking if you’re sure you want to force stop the app. Tap “OK” to confirm. Force stopping the app ensures it is completely closed and not running in the background.

**Method 3: Disable Background Data**

* **Step 1: Open the Settings App:**
* Locate and open the Settings app on your Android device.
* **Step 2: Navigate to Apps:**
* Find and tap on “Apps,” “Applications,” or “App Manager.”
* **Step 3: Find Messenger in the List of Apps:**
* Select “Messenger” from the list of installed apps.
* **Step 4: Navigate to Data Usage:**
* Look for “Data Usage,” “Mobile Data,” or a similar option. Tap on it.
* **Step 5: Disable Background Data:**
* Toggle the switch next to “Background data” or “Allow background data usage” to the “Off” position. This prevents Messenger from using data in the background, effectively reducing its activity and conserving battery life.

**Method 4: Using Battery Optimization**

* **Step 1: Open the Settings App:**
* Open the Settings app on your Android device.
* **Step 2: Navigate to Battery Settings:**
* Scroll down and tap on “Battery” or “Battery Optimization.” The wording may vary based on your device.
* **Step 3: Find Messenger in the App List:**
* Tap on the three dots (menu) in the upper right corner and select “Advanced optimization” or “App optimization”.
* Find the Messenger app in the list. You may need to select “All apps” to see all installed applications.
* **Step 4: Optimize Battery Usage for Messenger:**
* Tap on Messenger. You will see options such as “Optimized”, “Unrestricted” and “Restricted”. Select “Restricted”. This will prevent Messenger from running in the background and using battery.

2. Closing Facebook Messenger on iOS (iPhone/iPad)

Closing apps on iOS is straightforward, but it’s important to do it correctly to ensure they are not running in the background.

**Method 1: Using the App Switcher**

* **Step 1: Open the App Switcher:**
* **For iPhones/iPads with a Home Button:** Double-press the Home button. This will bring up the App Switcher, showing all recently used apps.
* **For iPhones/iPads without a Home Button:** Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and pause in the middle. This will reveal the App Switcher.
* **Step 2: Locate the Messenger App:**
* Scroll through the list of apps until you find Facebook Messenger. It will be displayed as a card or preview.
* **Step 3: Close the Messenger App:**
* Swipe the Messenger card upwards off the screen. This will close the app, ensuring it is no longer running in the background.

**Important Note:** Simply returning to the home screen by pressing the Home button (or swiping up) doesn’t close the app. It only sends it to the background. You must use the App Switcher to completely close it.

**Method 2: Disable Background App Refresh**

* **Step 1: Open the Settings App:**
* Locate and open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
* **Step 2: Navigate to General:**
* Scroll down and tap on “General.”
* **Step 3: Select Background App Refresh:**
* Tap on “Background App Refresh.”
* **Step 4: Customize Background App Refresh for Messenger:**
* You have several options here:
* **Turn off Background App Refresh entirely:** At the top of the screen, you can toggle the switch next to “Background App Refresh” to the “Off” position. This will disable background app refresh for all apps.
* **Disable Background App Refresh for Messenger only:** Scroll down the list of apps and find “Messenger.” Toggle the switch next to Messenger to the “Off” position. This will prevent Messenger from refreshing in the background while allowing other apps to continue doing so.

**Method 3: Disable Notifications**

Disabling notifications won’t completely close the app, but it can significantly reduce its activity and minimize distractions.

* **Step 1: Open the Settings App:**
* Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
* **Step 2: Navigate to Notifications:**
* Scroll down and tap on “Notifications.”
* **Step 3: Find Messenger in the App List:**
* Scroll through the list of apps and tap on “Messenger.”
* **Step 4: Customize Notifications:**
* You can customize the types of notifications you receive or disable them altogether:
* **To disable all notifications:** Toggle the switch at the top of the screen next to “Allow Notifications” to the “Off” position.
* **To customize notifications:** Adjust the settings for Lock Screen, Notification Center, and Banners. You can also disable sounds and badges.

3. Closing Facebook Messenger on Desktop (Windows/macOS)

Closing Messenger on your computer ensures it’s not running in the background and consuming resources.

**Method 1: Closing via the System Tray (Windows)**

* **Step 1: Locate the Messenger Icon in the System Tray:**
* The system tray is typically located in the bottom-right corner of your screen, next to the clock. Look for the Messenger icon (a blue speech bubble with a white lightning bolt).
* **Step 2: Right-Click on the Messenger Icon:**
* Right-click on the Messenger icon in the system tray. A context menu will appear.
* **Step 3: Select “Exit” or “Quit”:**
* In the context menu, look for an option like “Exit,” “Quit,” or “Close Messenger.” Click on this option to close the app. This will ensure that Messenger is no longer running in the background.

**Method 2: Closing via the Menu Bar (macOS)**

* **Step 1: Locate the Messenger Icon in the Menu Bar:**
* The menu bar is located at the top of your screen. Look for the Messenger icon (a blue speech bubble with a white lightning bolt).
* **Step 2: Click on the Messenger Icon:**
* Click on the Messenger icon in the menu bar. A menu will appear.
* **Step 3: Select “Quit Messenger”:**
* In the menu, look for the option “Quit Messenger” and click on it. This will close the app, preventing it from running in the background.

**Method 3: Using Task Manager (Windows) / Activity Monitor (macOS)**

If the above methods don’t work, you can use Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS) to force close the app.

**Windows (Task Manager):**

* **Step 1: Open Task Manager:**
* Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` simultaneously to open Task Manager. Alternatively, right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager.”
* **Step 2: Locate Messenger in the Processes List:**
* In the “Processes” tab, scroll through the list of running processes until you find “Messenger.” It might be listed under “Apps” or “Background processes.”
* **Step 3: End the Messenger Process:**
* Select “Messenger” and click on the “End task” button in the bottom-right corner of the Task Manager window. This will force close the app.

**macOS (Activity Monitor):**

* **Step 1: Open Activity Monitor:**
* Open Finder, go to “Applications,” then “Utilities,” and double-click on “Activity Monitor.”
* **Step 2: Locate Messenger in the Process List:**
* In Activity Monitor, find “Messenger” in the list of running processes. You can use the search bar in the upper-right corner to quickly locate it.
* **Step 3: Force Quit the Messenger Process:**
* Select “Messenger” and click on the “X” button in the top-left corner of the Activity Monitor window. A confirmation dialog will appear. Click “Force Quit” to close the app.

**Method 4: Adjusting Startup Settings**

To prevent Messenger from automatically launching when you start your computer, adjust the startup settings.

**Windows:**

* **Step 1: Open Task Manager:**
* Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open Task Manager.
* **Step 2: Go to the Startup Tab:**
* Click on the “Startup” tab.
* **Step 3: Disable Messenger:**
* Find “Messenger” in the list of startup programs. If it’s enabled, right-click on it and select “Disable.”

**macOS:**

* **Step 1: Open System Preferences:**
* Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences.”
* **Step 2: Go to Users & Groups:**
* Click on “Users & Groups.”
* **Step 3: Select Your User Account:**
* Select your user account in the left sidebar.
* **Step 4: Go to Login Items:**
* Click on the “Login Items” tab.
* **Step 5: Remove Messenger from the List:**
* Find “Messenger” in the list of login items. Select it and click on the “-” (minus) button below the list to remove it. This will prevent Messenger from automatically launching when you log in.

4. Closing Facebook Messenger in a Web Browser

Even if you use Messenger in a web browser, it can still consume resources and send notifications. Here’s how to close it properly:

**Method 1: Closing the Browser Tab**

* **Step 1: Locate the Messenger Tab:**
* Find the browser tab where Messenger is open. It will usually display the Messenger logo or the word “Messenger” in the tab title.
* **Step 2: Close the Tab:**
* Click on the “X” button on the tab to close it. This will close the Messenger session in your browser.

**Method 2: Logging Out of Messenger**

* **Step 1: Open Messenger in Your Browser:**
* Go to the Messenger website (www.messenger.com) in your web browser.
* **Step 2: Open Settings:**
* Click on your profile picture in the top-left corner.
* **Step 3: Log out:**
* Click on “Log Out”.

**Method 3: Clearing Browser Cache and Cookies**

Sometimes, even after closing the tab, the browser might retain some data that allows Messenger to remain partially active. Clearing the cache and cookies can help prevent this.

* **Step 1: Open Your Browser Settings:**
* The method for opening browser settings varies depending on your browser. Here are the steps for some popular browsers:
* **Google Chrome:** Click on the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner and select “Settings.”
* **Mozilla Firefox:** Click on the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top-right corner and select “Options.”
* **Safari:** Click on “Safari” in the menu bar and select “Preferences.”
* **Microsoft Edge:** Click on the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner and select “Settings.”
* **Step 2: Navigate to Privacy and Security:**
* In the settings menu, look for an option like “Privacy and security,” “Privacy,” or “Browsing data.”
* **Step 3: Clear Browsing Data:**
* Click on the option to “Clear browsing data,” “Clear data,” or “Delete cookies and site data.”
* **Step 4: Select Cookies and Cache:**
* Make sure that the boxes next to “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files” are checked. You may also want to clear your browsing history.
* **Step 5: Clear the Data:**
* Click on the “Clear data,” “Clear,” or “Delete” button to clear the selected data. Restart your browser for the changes to take effect.

Tips for Managing Facebook Messenger

Here are some additional tips to help you manage Facebook Messenger more effectively:

* **Customize Notification Settings:** Adjust your notification settings to receive only the alerts that are important to you. You can customize notifications for individual conversations, groups, and general updates.
* **Use Quiet Mode:** Enable Quiet Mode or Do Not Disturb mode to temporarily silence notifications. This can be useful when you need to focus on a task or get some rest.
* **Archive Conversations:** Archive conversations that you no longer need to access frequently. This will keep your inbox clean and organized.
* **Mute Conversations:** Mute conversations that are particularly active or distracting. You will still receive messages, but you won’t be notified.
* **Regularly Review App Permissions:** Review the permissions that Messenger has on your device. Revoke any permissions that you don’t think are necessary.
* **Update Messenger Regularly:** Keep Messenger up to date to ensure you have the latest security patches and bug fixes.
* **Be Mindful of Data Usage:** Be aware of how much data Messenger is using, especially if you have a limited data plan. Use Wi-Fi whenever possible to reduce data consumption.

Conclusion

Completely closing Facebook Messenger on your devices is essential for conserving battery life, minimizing distractions, protecting your privacy, and managing your data usage. By following the detailed steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that Messenger is not actively running in the background when you don’t need it. Whether you’re using an Android device, an iPhone or iPad, or a computer, these methods will help you take control of your Messenger experience. Remember to regularly review your app settings and adjust them to suit your needs and preferences.