Meta AI how to turn off: what Meta lets you disable, and what it doesn't

Meta AI how to turn off: as of November 2, 2026, the Meta help pages we could open describe no setting that switches Meta AI off in WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook or Messenger. What Meta does document is smaller: deleting your chats, using WhatsApp's incognito chats, and, on Meta's AI glasses, a switch that stops the glasses listening for requests without the wake phrase.

That gap matters, because most "how to turn off Meta AI" guides online promise more than Meta's own pages show. This one sticks to what Meta's help center says, and marks what we could not confirm. For what the assistant is, see our explainer on whether Meta AI is the same as Muse.

What Meta documents you can turn off or delete

What can't be turned off

Meta has not documented an off switch for Meta AI in the four social apps. Meta's About AIs on Instagram page lists what the assistant does and says the feature "currently isn't available to everyone." It does not describe a way to disable it. The Messenger help article, Ask Meta AI on Messenger, says the feature is available on Android, iPhone and iPad, and not on computers. It also gives no off steps on the page we read.

Two other things stay on. Meta's help center footer for WhatsApp says that by using Meta AI, "your interactions with AIs will be used to improve AI at Meta." And on glasses, Meta's Glasses privacy page says essential data, such as device status, battery, errors and safety information, is used automatically and is not something you can turn off there.

Meta's help pages also change often, and some of its WhatsApp and Facebook articles did not load as readable text for us. If your app shows a different menu than the one a guide describes, trust the app.

How to stop glasses answering without "Hey Meta"

On Meta's AI glasses, the "Respond without Hey Meta" feature is on by default. Meta says that turning it off means you have to say "Hey Meta" for every request. To change it:

1. In the Meta AI mobile app, tap the Glasses icon in the top right.
2. Tap Device settings. If you have several paired devices, swipe to select the right one first.
3. Under Glasses, tap your glasses.
4. Tap Meta AI.
5. Tap "Hey Meta" preferences.
6. Turn off the toggle for Respond without "Hey Meta."

This does not turn Meta AI off. Meta's use Meta AI on AI glasses page says you can still start it by saying "Hey Meta" or pressing and holding the touchpad. We found no Meta article that turns the assistant off on the glasses.

You can also control what Meta uses to improve its products. In the same app, go to Device settings, tap your glasses, scroll down and tap Glasses privacy. Additional Data, which covers how you use the devices, can be switched. Meta says the choice does not cover photos and videos your glasses capture.

How to delete your Meta AI chats

If you cannot turn Meta AI off, you can remove what you told it. In the Meta AI app, per Meta's help article:

1. Tap Menu in the top left, then Settings.
2. Under App settings, tap Data & privacy, then Manage your information.
3. Tap Delete all chats and media, then Delete all.

Deleting chats does not delete public posts you made to the app's feed. Remove those separately under Remove all public vibes.

When a business uses Meta AI to answer you in a chat, Meta's business chats policy says typing /reset-ai deletes the conversation for you, Meta and the business. Typing /download-ai-info sends a download link first. The page also mentions /ai-options, with details on a linked page we did not read.

WhatsApp incognito chats

WhatsApp's Meta AI page says "you are in control of how you use AI experiences" in the app. It describes incognito chats as the most private way to chat with Meta AI. Meta says they are not visible to others, including Meta and WhatsApp, and when you exit they "disappear and cannot be retrieved." Incognito chats are an option for a chat. They do not remove the assistant from the app.

What we could not confirm

Many guides describe a Mute button in the Meta AI chat on Instagram and Messenger, comment summary switches on Facebook, and an objection form for AI training in the UK and EU. We did not find these in a Meta help page we could read, so we are not giving steps for them. Meta's generative AI privacy page points to its Privacy Center for training information.

If muting matters to you, open the Meta AI chat in the app and check its info or settings menu. Meta's pages we read do not say what muting does, so do not assume it removes Meta AI from search bars or message lists.