The green dot appearing on your Facebook profile picture indicates your Active Status. It signals to others that you are currently active or were recently active on Facebook, Messenger, or Instagram (if accounts are linked).
How to Remove/Control the Green Dot
You cannot completely remove the green dot functionality, but you can control who sees your active status and hide it from others:
- On Mobile (Facebook App): Go to your Profile > Tap the three dots next to "Add to Story" > Select Active Status > Toggle "Show when you're active" OFF.
- On Desktop (Web): Click the Messenger icon > Click your Profile picture in the top left > Select Active Status > Toggle "Show when you're active" OFF.
- Alternative Path: Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy > Active Status > Adjust the toggle.
Important Considerations
- Turning your active status off means you will also stop seeing the active status of other users.
- Messaging behavior might change; people won't see if you've seen their message unless you reply.
- Your active status is always visible in Messenger group chats and during active Messenger calls, regardless of this setting.
- You cannot selectively hide it from specific individuals through this setting; it's all or nothing.
Turning off the active status toggle is the only way to prevent the green dot from appearing for other users.
