How to Check if Someone's Online in Facebook Messenger

PDF download Download Article
See someone's activity or status on Facebook Messenger
PDF download Download Article

Are you trying to find out if a Facebook Messenger friend is online? If you see a green dot next to the person's profile picture, this means they are currently active or have been active recently. If they aren't online, you'll see "Active (minutes) ago". You and your friend must have the Active Status turned on for this to be visible. This wikiHow will show you how to know if someone is online on Facebook Messenger using your iPhone, iPad, Android, or computer.

Know Who's Active on Facebook Messenger

You can tell if someone is active on Messenger by looking for a green dot next to their name and profile picture. If you don't see any green dots, they may be offline, or you or the user have it disabled. Enable your Active Status by navigating to your settings and toggling it on.

Section 1 of 5:

Seeing Who's Active on Mobile

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's the multi-colored chat bubble icon with a white lightning bolt inside. You'll find it on your home screen or in the app drawer (Android). [1]
    • If you're not signed in, follow the on-screen instructions to sign in now.
    • Facebook Messenger is available for iOS in the App Store and for Android in the Google Play Store .
    • Keep in mind that you can only see other people's active status if you have your own active status enabled.
  2. This is the tab at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
    Advertisement
  3. You'll see a list of everyone who is currently active on Messenger. If a friend is online, you'll see a green circle next to their profile picture.
    • If they are not active on Messenger, you'll see Active (minutes/hours) ago .
    • If you don't see any active statuses, make sure your active status is enabled .
    4. Advertisement
Section 2 of 5:

Seeing Who's Active on a Computer

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Go to the Messenger website in a web browser. This is Facebook's official Messenger app for desktop browsers.
    • If you don't see your conversations, click Continue as (your name) or enter your login information as prompted.
    • If you don't remember your password, you can reset it .
  2. This looks like an icon of two people. You'll find it underneath the Chat tab.
  3. You'll now see a list of your Messenger contacts who are actively online. [2]
    • If you see Active contacts (0) , this means no one is currently active on Messenger.
    • If you return to the Chats tab, you can see a list of recent friends. If they are not active on Messenger, you'll see Active (minutes/hours) ago .
    • You can always add new contacts or create a post on a friend's timeline.
    • If you don't see any active statuses, make sure your active status is enabled .
    4. Advertisement
Section 3 of 5:

What does the green dot on Facebook mean?

PDF download Download Article
  1. In some cases, the green dot may appear even if the user isn't currently chatting. This could be due to Facebook being open in the background, network issues, or having push notifications enabled.
    • If you want to know if the user is currently active in the same chat, you must have "Show When You're Active Together" enabled in your Active Status settings. Currently, this feature is only available on mobile. [3]
    • The green dot won't show for users who have adjusted their privacy settings to disable activity status.
Section 4 of 5:

Enabling Active Status (Mobile)

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Open the Facebook app. If you aren't already logged in, do so now.
    • You can also edit your Active Status on the Messenger app. Tap ☰ > Settings > Active Status . Toggle on Show when you're active . [4]
  2. 2
    Tap ☰ . This is the menu button.
  3. 3
    Tap Settings & Privacy , then Settings . Your settings will open.
  4. 4
    Tap Active Status . You can find this underneath Audience and visibility .
  5. 5
    Toggle on "Active Status". This is next to Show when you're active .
    • You must have Active Status enabled to see other users' active status.
    6. Advertisement
Section 5 of 5:

Enabling Active Status (Desktop)

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Go to the Facebook website in a web browser. If you aren't logged into your account, do so now.
    • You can also edit your Active Status on the Messenger website. Click your profile picture, and then click Preferences . Then, set Active Status to On .
  2. 2
    Click the Messenger icon. This is the lightning bolt in a speech bubble.
  3. 3
    Click ••• . This is next to Chats . A menu will open.
  4. 4
    Click Active Status . This is towards the bottom of the menu.
  5. 5
    Toggle on "Active Status". The switch will turn blue.
    • You must have Active Status enabled to see other users' active status.
    • If you only want this enabled for some people, click Edit next to Active Status: ON for some , and then select the users.
  6. 6
    Click Save . This will apply your changes.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I can see when my partner was last active on Facebook Messenger, but I cannot see with whom, why?
    Community Answer
    Facebook does not share that information, as that's invasion of the user's privacy.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 37 Helpful 75
  • Question
    How can I know the online status of someone who is not on my friend list?
    Sophie Walford
    Community Answer
    You cannot know that. You can only know who's online if you are friends with them.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 41 Helpful 38
  • Question
    How can I get the physical address of someone by entering their phone number?
    Community Answer
    You can't.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 15 Helpful 15
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      4 Simple Ways to Export Chats from Facebook Messenger
      Why Does Facebook Messenger Say “This Person is Unavailable?”
      How to
      Log Out of Messenger Remotely: 2 Easy Ways
      How Do I Delete My Messenger Account on Android?
      How to
      Delete a Group on Facebook Messenger
      How to
      Sign Out of Facebook Messenger on iPhone or iPad
      Free Calling on Facebook Messenger: A Step-by-Step Guide
      6 Easy Steps to Save Photos on Facebook Messenger
      How to
      See If Someone Read Your Facebook Messenger Message
      How to
      Block Calls on Messenger App (iPhone, iPad, Android, Web)
      4 Easy Ways to Remove Photos from Facebook Messenger
      How to
      Read Old Messages on Facebook
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/messenger-app/900555049971532?cms_platform=iphone-app&helpref=platform_switcher
      2. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/www/149081061827062
      3. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/messenger-app/579576779883506/?cms_platform=iphone-app&helpref=platform_switcher
      4. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/messenger-app/278118979024443?cms_platform=iphone-app&helpref=platform_switcher

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 502,163 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement