How to Know if Someone is Online on Facebook

On mobile devices

Open Facebook Messenger. If you're not logged in, enter your username and password, then tap Log in .

Click People . This tab is located on the menu bar at the bottom of the screen.

For Android devices, this card is near the top of the screen.

Click Active (Active). This will show all of your friends who are active on Messenger.

You can also find friends by entering text in the search bar at the top of the screen. This will search all of your friends on Messenger. Active friends will have a small blue dot displayed next to their profile picture.

If your friend does not use messenger, their name will not appear in the search list even though they are currently on Facebook.

On the web browser

Access Facebook from the browser. If you are not logged in, enter your username and password, then click Log in .

Tap Chat . This option is located at the bottom right of the screen and a small popup window will display.

Enter the name of the person you want to find in the search box. The search results will display in the chat box.

Look for the green dot next to their name. If there is a green dot, they are online and ready to chat.

Your friends can turn off their activity status in the chat box settings, then you will not be able to see that they are online.

Micah Soto

Update 24 October 2023