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How to Finally Log Out of the Facebook App When Nothing Else Works

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We‘ve all been there. You want to logout of Facebook on your phone only to have the app refresh itself and stay logged in. No matter how many times you stab hopelessly at the Log Out button, you remain trapped in Facebook purgatory.

Not to worry my friend, today I‘ll be your guide to escaping Facebook log out limbo on mobile. By the end, logging out will be as easy as pie. Let‘s dive in!

Why the Facebook App Holds You Hostage

Before we start troubleshooting, it helps to understand what‘s behind the nefarious Facebook log out bug. A few usual suspects are to blame:

  • A glitchy app update – Facebook pushes buggy releases more often than you‘d think! When log out breaks, it‘s usually their fault.

  • Facebook server outage – If the mothership goes down, so does your ability to log out gracefully.

  • Corrupted app cache and data – Good ol‘ fashioned junk files gumming up the works.

Lately, this issue has been running rampant according to social media complaints:

"The Facebook app just refreshes now when I try to log out. Stuck forever logged in!"

"I can‘t fully quit Facebook on my iPhone! Log out button doesn‘t work."

"Tried everything to log out of Facebook but it keeps reopening. Uninstalling as a last resort."

Across Android and iOS devices, legions of users face paltry log out buttons that betray them time and time again. But we shall overcome!

Step-by-Step Guide to Forcibly Log Out of Facebook

Equipped with courage and determination, you have the power to log out of even the most stubborn Facebook app. Follow these steps to freedom:

Clear the App‘s Cache and Data

Corrupted data is public enemy number one when it comes to the Facebook log out bug. Let‘s wipe it clean:

On Android

  1. Open Settings and tap Apps & notifications
  2. Find and select Facebook
  3. Tap Storage & cache > Clear cache and Clear storage
  4. Open Facebook – you should now be logged out

On iPhone

  1. Go to Settings > Facebook
  2. Scroll down and tap Log Out
  3. Confirm the log out action

This forces the app to start fresh with a clean slate. No more bad cache or data mucking up basic functions like logging out.

Downgrade to an Older Facebook Version

Recently updated to a newer Facebook version that broke log out? Rollback time!

On Android, you can install old Facebook APK files from sites like APKMirror. Grab an APK from a few versions ago and see if it fixes your woes.

If so, you can stick with the working older version or wait for Facebook to patch the newer release.

Update Facebook to the Latest Version

Alternatively, you may be running an outdated Facebook build in need of some bug squashing updates!

Head to the Play Store or App Store and check for Facebook updates. Install the latest version and cross your fingers it has the log out bug fix you crave.

Uninstall and Reinstall the App

When all else fails, the nuclear option of uninstalling and reinstalling the app often resolves odd issues like this.

  1. Uninstall Facebook
  2. Restart your phone
  3. Reinstall Facebook from the app store
  4. Log in and see if you can now log out

Hopefully nuking the app removes any gremlins that were acting up.

Log Out via Mobile Browser

Since Facebook works properly in mobile browsers, logging out that way avoids the app trouble entirely.

Just head to www.facebook.com, login if needed, and use the Log Out link at the bottom. Easy peasy!

Remove Facebook Login from Other Apps

Don‘t forget to logout of Facebook in any connected apps like Instagram, Spotify, Candy Crush, etc. Open each app‘s settings and disconnect from Facebook.

Force Stop and Clear Data of Messenger

Facebook Messenger often gets tripped up by the same issues. Follow the Android steps above to force stop Messenger and clear its data as well.

Try Deleting Facebook from Device Admin Apps

Buried in your Android‘s settings is a list of apps with special device admin privileges. Revoking Facebook‘s admin access can allow a standard log out.

  1. Go to Settings > Security > Device admin apps
  2. Tap the toggle next to Facebook to disable admin rights

Now Facebook is powerless to stop you!

Wait 24-48 Hours

During prolonged Facebook downtime, your only choice may be waiting 1-2 days for functionality to return.

I‘d pass the time troubleshooting Facebook log out on any other available devices that aren‘t affected.

Call in the Facebook Troubleshooting Cavalry

If you still can‘t overcome the relentless Facebook log out boss battle, it‘s time to call for reinforcements:

  • Facebook support agents – Access live chat or email support via Facebook‘s Help Center. Explain the issue in detail and attempt any troubleshooting tips they provide.

  • Facebook Developers forums – Post about the stubborn log out bug on the Developers bug reporting forums. Facebook staff regularly review and respond to issues here.

  • Social media complaining – Ironically, tweets, posts, and comments reporting your plight may lead to a Facebook engineer taking notice and investigating further.

  • App reviews – Leave 1-star reviews on the Play Store and App Store noting the broken log out. Negative feedback drives rapid app updates.

  • Carrier tech support – If nothing else works, your cellular provider‘s tech support may have additional mobile troubleshooting ideas.

With persistence and patience, the Facebook army will beat this bug eventually!

Avoid Future Facebook Log Out Woes

Once you‘ve conquered the infamous Facebook log out bug, a few preventative measures can help avoid its return:

  • Keep the Facebook app updated to always run the latest version. Turn on auto-update if available.

  • Completely force quit the Facebook app after each use rather than just minimizing it.

  • Log out fully from Facebook before closing or switching apps to prevent background processes getting stuck.

  • Limit app permissions and notifications from Facebook to reduce potential conflicts.

  • Maintain a minimal app footprint by deleting unused social media apps connected to Facebook.

  • Periodically clear the Facebook app‘s cache and data to prevent buildup of bad files.

  • Use Facebook primarily through the mobile browser if the native app consistently acts up.

Now Go, My Friend – Log Out Freely!

Whew, that was a journey! We unpacked the causes of the notorious Facebook log out bug, established fortress-like defenses, and forged tools for liberation.

Arm yourself with this knowledge as you venture forth through the land of unfamiliar technology and conquer new adversaries.

And when the siren call of Facebook entices you back, return with confidence, knowing you possess the power to log out on your own terms. Farewell for now!

AlexisKestler

Written by Alexis Kestler

A female web designer and programmer - Now is a 36-year IT professional with over 15 years of experience living in NorCal. I enjoy keeping my feet wet in the world of technology through reading, working, and researching topics that pique my interest.