How to Change a Facebook Status: A Quick and Easy Guide

PDF download Download Article

A quick and easy guide to updating your status on Facebook

PDF download Download Article

Facebook has several statuses you can change, including your relationship status, activity status, and a general status that lets people know what you're thinking. If you want to let people know that you're single or in a relationship, you can easily update your relationship status. If you don't want people to know when you're online, you can change your activity status to appear offline . Your general Facebook status can be anything, such recommending a new restaurant downtown or announcing that you're going to college. This wikiHow guide will show you how to change the most common statuses on Facebook using your Android, iPhone, iPad, or computer.

Things You Should Know

  • On mobile, post a status by going to Feed > “What’s on your mind?” Then write the status and tap Post .
  • On mobile, update your relationship by going to More > See Your About Info > Add Relationship > Save .
  • On desktop, post a status by clicking on the status box that says, “What’s on your mind, <name>?”
  • On desktop, update your relationship by going to your profile > About > Family and relationships. Then, choose a status and audience in the selection menu.
Section 1 of 6:

Change your Relationship Status on Mobile

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Tap the More menu button. It’s the three horizontal lines in the bottom-right of the Facebook app.
  2. This will take you to your profile page.
    Advertisement
  3. A new menu with your profile information will appear.
  4. This is in the Relationship section. If you’ve posted a relationship status before, tap the edit button (pencil icon) to edit the status.
  5. You can use the audience selector to change who can see your relationship status.
  6. This will save your relationship status on your profile.
    7. Advertisement
Section 2 of 6:

Change your Relationship Status on Desktop

PDF download Download Article
  1. This will open your profile page.
  2. This will open the About tab with your profile’s info.
  3. You see your current relationship status if you’ve updated it before. [1]
  4. The edit button is a pencil in a circle.
  5. Depending on your choice, you may be able to add the person you’re in a relationship with.
    • Examples include "Married," "Single," "In a relationship," and "It's complicated."
  6. You can choose between Public, Friends, Only me, and Custom.
  7. Your new relationship status will be displayed in your profile’s About section for your Facebook friends to see.
    • If you set this information to “public,” anyone will be able to view your relationship status regardless of whether they’re your friend.
    8. Advertisement
Section 3 of 6:

Post a Status Update on Mobile

PDF download Download Article
  1. Opening the Facebook app will show you the Feed by default. [2]
  2. This will open the status update edit menu. It might be called Write Something… on some versions of the app.
  3. Then, select a feeling or activity from the list. You can also search for a specific topic or type your own.
    • Optionally, tap the status update icon to select a different one (iPhone). Or, tap Feeling/Activity (Android).
  4. Type your status update in the text box.
  5. This will post your status update to your Timeline!
    6. Advertisement
Section 4 of 6:

Post a Status Update on Desktop

PDF download Download Article
  1. Go to https://www.facebook.com/ in your web browser. This will take you to the main Facebook website. Log in with your profile username and password if needed.
  2. You can alternatively navigate to the status box on your Home page. The status box has a picture of your profile and a text box asking, “What’s on your mind, <name>?”
  3. The status box has a text box with a blank field that reads, "What's on your mind, <name>?"
  4. When you click the status field, the Create Post menu will open. You can post an update about any topic you want to share with your Facebook friends. Don’t forget to add some hashtags if you want to make a public post more findable.
    • For example, if you are currently at a sporting event, change your status to "At a baseball game right now, and my team is winning!"
    • Click the rainbow Aa button in the bottom left to change your post’s background color or image.
    • Click the emoji button in the bottom right to add emojis to your post.
    • You can also add photos and videos, tag people, feelings or activities, a check in location, and a life event flag. [3]
    • The more button also has options for a live video, GIF, and raising money.
    • You can even add music to your post.
  5. Your new status will be displayed on your profile, and in the feeds of your Facebook friends.
    • If you’re looking for tips beyond just posting, check out our guide about being cool on Facebook.
  6. Go to the post and click the three dots icon in the upper-right corner. Select “Hide from profile” in the drop-down menu.
    7. Advertisement
Section 5 of 6:

Turn Off Activity Status on Mobile

PDF download Download Article
  1. It’s the three horizontal lines in the bottom-right of the Facebook app. [4]
    • Use this method if you don't want your Facebook friends to know when you're active on Facebook.
  2. This opens the Settings & Privacy menu.
  3. This opens the Settings menu.
  4. This opens a menu for changing your Active Status.
  5. This will toggle your Active Status off if it was on.
    6. Advertisement
Section 6 of 6:

Turn Off Activity Status Desktop

PDF download Download Article
  1. Go to https://www.facebook.com in your web browser. This will take you to the main Facebook website. Log in with your profile username and password if needed.
    • Use this method if you don't want your Facebook friends to know when you're active on Facebook.
  2. This will open your Messenger chats.
  3. It’s the three horizontal dots at the top of Messenger.
  5. This will turn off your Active Status if it was on.
  6. This will confirm your Active Status change.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I delete a video I accidentally shared?
    Amber
    Community Answer
    There should be an arrow on the top right of the post, press it and then press "Delete."
    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 1 Helpful 2
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • If the person you have a relationship with is also on Facebook, you can link to them from within the Relationships and Family section, so other Facebook users can view your partner and access their profile. For example, if you change your relationship status to "Married," type the name of your spouse in the blank field below your status to give users access to your spouse's profile.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      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!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      Locking Your Facebook Account on an iPhone, Android, or Computer
      How to
      Get Someone's Facebook Password
      How to
      Make a Facebook Bio: 200+ Engaging Examples (+ Writing Tips)
      How to
      See Who Shared Your Facebook Post
      Why Is My Facebook Feed All Ads and Suggested Posts?
      Recovering Deleted Facebook Messages: 4 Ways to Get Them Back
      How to
      Search a Phone Number on Facebook
      How to
      Temporarily Disable a Facebook Account on the App or Website
      3 Easy Ways to Make a Fake Facebook Account
      How to
      Check Which Email Address You Use for Facebook: iPhone + Android
      4 Easy Ways to Find Your Facebook User ID and Username
      10 Ways to Fix Facebook If It’s Crashing
      Finding Old Facebook Posts: Easy Search Tips
      How to
      Save Facebook Videos on Your Phone or Computer
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/251060974929772
      2. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/427780037309149/?cms_platform=iphone-app&helpref=platform_switcher
      3. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/427780037309149
      4. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/215888465102253/?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 145,187 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement