Let’s be real. Most of us haven't logged out of Facebook in years. Why would you? It's sitting there on your phone, tucked between Instagram and your banking app, staying signed in so you can check a notification the second it pings. But then you’re at a friend's house, or you're using a tablet that isn't yours, or maybe you just feel like the app is eavesdropping on your dinner conversation. Suddenly, the question "how do i log out of the facebook app" becomes a lot more urgent.
It’s actually kinda buried. Meta loves keeping you inside the ecosystem. They don’t exactly put a giant "EXIT" sign on the front door.
Whether you're trying to save battery, protect your privacy, or just take a much-needed social media detox, getting out of the app is something you should know how to do. It isn't just about tapping a button; it's about making sure your session is actually closed.
How Do I Log Out of the Facebook App on iPhone or Android?
The process is basically identical regardless of whether you're rocking a brand-new iPhone 17 or an old Samsung Galaxy. First, open the app. Look for your profile picture in the bottom right corner (on iOS) or the top right (on Android). This is the "Menu" button. It’s got three little horizontal lines, often called the "hamburger" icon.
Tap it.
Now, don’t get distracted by "Memories" or "Marketplace." Scroll all the way to the bottom. Like, keep scrolling. Past "Settings & Privacy." Past "Help & Support." At the very bottom, in a font that’s usually a bit thinner than everything else, you’ll see Log Out.
Tap that. A pop-up will appear asking if you’re sure. Facebook really wants you to stay. Tap "Log Out" again. You’re done.
But wait. There’s a catch.
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Even after you log out, your account info might still be saved on that device. You’ll see your profile picture on the login screen. If anyone taps that picture, they’re right back in your account without a password. To fix this, tap the gear icon (Settings) on that login page and select Remove Profile. Now you’re actually, truly out.
Why Log Out Remotely?
Ever had that sinking feeling? You used a computer at the library or logged in on a roommate's iPad, and you realized three hours later that you forgot to sign out. It’s a privacy nightmare.
Thankfully, Facebook has a "kill switch" for this. You don't need the original device in your hands to fix the mistake.
- Open the Facebook app on your own phone.
- Hit that Menu icon again.
- Tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings.
- You’re looking for the Accounts Center. It’s usually the first big box at the top, powered by Meta.
- Tap Password and Security.
- Find the section labeled Where you're logged in.
This screen is a bit of an eye-opener. It shows every single device that has an active session with your account. It’ll list the device type (iPhone 14, Windows PC, Chrome browser) and the approximate location. If you see a "Linux" login from a city you’ve never visited, don't panic yet—sometimes VPNs or ISP routing make the location look weird. But if it’s definitely not you, tap Select devices to log out, check the boxes, and boot them off.
This is the nuclear option. It’s incredibly effective.
The Privacy Myth: Does Logging Out Stop the Tracking?
Let’s get nerdy for a second. A lot of people ask "how do i log out of the facebook app" because they think it stops Meta from tracking them.
Not exactly.
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Even when you aren't "in" the app, the app is often still on your phone. If you have "Background App Refresh" turned on (especially on iOS), Facebook can still ping servers. Furthermore, Facebook uses "Off-Facebook Activity" tools. These are snippets of code (like the Meta Pixel) installed on millions of other websites. When you visit a clothing store or a news site, that site tells Facebook you were there.
Logging out helps prevent someone from reading your DMs if they grab your phone. It does not create an invisible shield around your data. If you want that, you need to go into Settings > Off-Facebook Activity and disconnect that history. Or, honestly, just delete the app and use a hardened browser like Brave or Firefox with strict tracking protection.
Troubleshooting the "Ghost" Login
Sometimes you hit log out and the app just... hangs. Or you open it back up and you're magically signed back in.
This is usually a caching issue. Your phone stores "tokens." These are little digital keys that tell the server "Hey, this is still Dave’s phone, let him in." If the token doesn't clear, you stay logged in.
If you’re on Android, you can force the issue. Go to your phone’s Settings > Apps > Facebook > Storage. Tap Clear Cache and then Clear Data. This wipes the slate clean. You’ll have to re-enter your password next time, but it guarantees you’re logged out. iPhone users don’t have a "Clear Data" button, so your best bet is to delete the app and reinstall it if it’s acting glitchy.
Why your "Save Login Info" might be the culprit
When you log in, Facebook asks: "Save Login Info?"
Most of us tap "OK" because we’re lazy. But this saves your credentials to the device's keychain or Facebook’s internal memory. If you share your phone with a kid or a partner, they are one accidental tap away from your private messages.
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If you want to be safe, always select "Not Now" when prompted to save login info. It’s a three-second inconvenience that prevents a lifetime of awkward explanations.
Security Checkups and 2FA
If you're worried enough to be logging out constantly, you should probably just turn on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).
Seriously. Do it now.
Go back to that Accounts Center under Password and Security. Set up an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Authy). Don't just rely on SMS/text codes—hackers can do "SIM swapping" to steal those. With 2FA, even if someone has your password and you forgot to log out of a public computer, they can’t get in without that rotating code on your phone.
It’s the single most important thing you can do for your digital life.
Actionable Next Steps for a Secure Account
Don't just read this and move on. Take five minutes to audit your account right now.
- Audit your active sessions: Go to the "Where you're logged in" section and remove any device you don't recognize or no longer own. That old iPhone 8 you traded in three years ago? It might still be on the list.
- Clear the saved profiles: If you share a tablet, log out and make sure your profile picture isn't sitting on the home screen waiting for a tap.
- Check your app permissions: While you’re in the settings, look at "Apps and Websites." See how many random games or quizzes from 2018 still have access to your Facebook data. Revoke everything you don't use daily.
- Update the app: Security patches are released constantly. If you're running a version of Facebook from six months ago, you're vulnerable to exploits that have already been fixed.
Logging out is a good habit. It creates a "friction" that prevents mindless scrolling and keeps your data a little bit safer from prying eyes. It might be annoying to type that password back in, but your privacy is worth the ten seconds of effort.