Facebook is the ideal way to keep in touch with friends and loved ones. However, it can be annoying to constantly receive messages when you are busy with work or when you are not in the mood to communicate. Fortunately, the site gives all users the ability to appear as "not computer", even when you are online.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Appear Not to Computer on Facebook
Step 1. Log into your Facebook profile
Step 2. Click the "Chat" button
You will find it in the lower right corner of the window.
A window will open, with the chat box and the names of some of your Facebook friends
Step 3. Click on "Options"
You will find this gear button in the upper right corner of the chat.
Step 4. Turn off chat
Select "Disable chat" to appear offline to all your Facebook contacts.
When you want to go online, select "Activate chat"
Step 5. Change the chat settings
You can choose between three options.
- Turn off chat for all friends. By choosing this option, you will appear offline for all Facebook users.
- Turn off chat for some friends. Thanks to this option, you will appear offline only to the users you have selected.
- Enable chat for some friends. By selecting "Disable chat for all contacts except…", you can decide which users can see you online.
Method 2 of 4: Appear Not To Computer on Facebook Messenger App
Step 1. Open the Facebook Messenger app
Press the corresponding icon on your mobile device.
Step 2. Select the address book
Press the corresponding icon in the menu at the top of the screen. The address book will open.
Step 3. Click on the "Active" tab
You will see it at the top of the screen.
Step 4. You appear as inactive
You will find a button next to your profile picture and name. Move it to "Off".
To appear active again, return the button to "On"
Method 3 of 4: Disable Facebook Chat on Android
Step 1. Open the Facebook app
Step 2. Press the Menu button
Step 3. Scroll down to "App Settings"
You will find the entry under "Help and Settings".
Step 4. Scroll down to "Facebook Chat"
Step 5. You appear inactive
You will find a button next to the text "Facebook Chat". Move it to "Off".
Method 4 of 4: Disable Facebook Chat on iOS
Step 1. Open the Facebook app
Step 2. Click on the settings icon
You will find it in the upper right corner of the chat friends list.
Step 3. Select "Go offline"
Note that the chat sidebar only appears on iPads if they are in overview mode
Advice
- Once chat is disabled, your friends' messages will automatically be archived in your inbox. You will be able to read them later and you will also receive them on the mobile application.
- You can edit your friends list from within the chat window. Hover your mouse over a name and click "Edit". This way you can add and remove friends from the list.
Warnings
- If you add a friend to more than one list, they will be able to see you online as long as they belong to at least one of those who have permission to see you online.
- When you use Facebook in offline mode, you can't see which of your friends are connected.
