What Is the Green Dot on Facebook and Messenger

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
September 19, 2023

This is for mobile devices and desktops using Facebook and Messenger. Screenshots are from Windows 10

Wondering why Facebook displays a green dot on someone’s profile picture, in the Messenger app, and next to the camera icon in Messenger? What the green dot means is context-dependent. Let’s decode this green dot.

Key Points

•  The green dot on someone’s Facebook profile picture indicates that they are active on the Facebook platform, whether on the site, through the app, or on the Messenger app.
•  In Facebook Messenger, the green dot next to people’s profile pictures confirms that they are currently active on Facebook, either through Messenger, the app, or the site.
•  A green dot next to the camera icon in Messenger means that the user is available for a video call.
• Disable the feature so others do not know you are active on Facebook or Messenger.

Green Dot on Facebook

On Facebook’s desktop site or mobile app, when you visit someone’s profile page, you might have seen a green dot. This green dot indicates that the user is active on the Facebook platform. Refer to the below image:

The dot does not necessarily mean the user is active on the Facebook site. The user may be using the Facebook app or even the Messenger app. But if you see it, it means the user is active somewhere within the Facebook network and it can stand in as an online indicator.

Green Dot on Messenger

While scrolling chat lists in the Messenger app, you may have seen green dots appearing in the bottom-right corner of people’s profile pictures. These green dots indicate that those users are currently active on Facebook. See the below image:

Those users may be active on Messenger, the Facebook app, or the Facebook site. The dot just indicates that they are active somewhere on the Facebook platform.

Green Dot Next to Camera Icon on Messenger

When you see a green dot next to the camera icon in the Messenger app, it means that the user is available for a video call in the app. This indicator is separate from the profile picture indicator we discussed in the previous two sections and only references video call availability. See the following image:

So when you see the camera-adjacent green dot you know the user has Messenger installed, and it’s possible for you to initiate a video call with them.

Disable Active Status on Desktop Facebook Website

1. In a browser, log in to Facebook and then click the Messenger icon in the top-right corner of the page.
2. Click the Menu icon (three dots)  at the top of the chats window.
3. Click Active Status.
4. Toggle off the switch next to Active Status: ON to disable it. The switch will be turned OFF.

You can enable the Active Status at any time. by toggling the switch to the ON position.

Note! A couple of additional options in the Active Status window allow you to appear active for some friends, but not others, and vice versa. Simply tap the edit button to select which friends you want to include in either list. Refer to the below image:

You can disable the feature on your mobile device but it’s more complicated.

Disclaimer

Technology is always changing and rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.

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