Unfortunately, you cannot delete your Messenger account without also deleting your Facebook account. Messenger is intrinsically linked to Facebook, and deactivating or deleting one affects the other.
While it's not possible to delete Messenger separately, you can deactivate your Messenger account, which is the closest option. Deactivating Messenger removes your profile and name from the app, making it appear as if you've deleted your account to other users. Here’s how to deactivate Messenger (note that you must deactivate your Facebook account first):
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Deactivate your Facebook account: You can’t deactivate Messenger without first deactivating your Facebook account. To do this:
- Go to Facebook Settings.
- Click "Your Facebook Information" (or a similarly named section).
- Choose "Deactivation and Deletion".
- Select "Deactivate Account" and follow the prompts. Facebook may ask you to confirm that you understand you won't be able to use Messenger if you deactivate. Complete the deactivation process.
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Deactivate your Messenger account: After deactivating your Facebook account, you can proceed to deactivate Messenger:
- Open the Messenger App
- Tap your profile picture in the top left corner.
- Scroll down and tap "Legal & Policies."
- Tap "Deactivate."
- Enter your password if prompted, and follow the prompts to confirm deactivation.
Important Considerations:
- Deactivating vs. Deleting: Deactivating your account is not the same as deleting it. Deactivating makes your profile invisible, but your data is still stored on Facebook's servers.
- Reactivation: You can reactivate your Facebook and Messenger accounts at any time by simply logging back in.
- No Separate Messenger Deletion: Because Messenger is tied to your Facebook account, there is no direct way to delete Messenger entirely without deleting your Facebook account.
In summary, if your goal is to remove your presence from Messenger without losing access to Facebook, deactivation is the only option. If you wish to permanently remove all data and accounts you must delete your Facebook account which will subsequently remove your Messenger access and data as well.
