How to Turn Off Messenger Bubbles (or Turn Them Back On)

Messenger bubbles are the floating circles with a friend's face that pop up over whatever you're doing when a message arrives. Some people love them for quick replies. Others find them distracting, especially during a video or a game. They're easy to switch off, or to switch back on if they've vanished after an update or a new phone. Here's how, plus the difference between bubbles and the old chat heads.

How to turn off Messenger bubbles

1. Open Messenger and tap Menu.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Scroll down and tap Bubbles.
4. Select Nothing can bubble.

New messages will then arrive as normal notifications instead of floating bubbles.

Close one bubble without turning them off

If you only want one bubble gone, press and drag it to the bottom of the screen and let go. Messenger says that closes it when you're done chatting. You can also drag bubbles around the screen to move them out of the way.

How to turn bubbles back on

1. Tap Menu, then Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap Bubbles.
3. Tap All conversations can bubble.

If you can't see the Bubbles option at all, Messenger says bubbles are available on Pixel phones running Android 11 and higher, and suggests updating your Android device if the feature isn't showing.

Bubbles at a glance

Question	Answer
What is a bubble?	A floating circle with your friend's profile picture
What does it do?	Lets you read and reply without leaving the app you're in
Turn off all bubbles	Menu, Settings, Bubbles, Nothing can bubble
Close one bubble	Drag it to the bottom of the screen
Where it works	Android; Messenger names Pixels on Android 11 and higher

Bubbles or chat heads?

Long-time Android users remember chat heads, Messenger's older floating circles. Bubbles do a similar job but use Android's own bubble system, which is why the setting now lives under Bubbles. If you're looking for a chat heads switch and can't find one, the Bubbles setting is the place to manage floating chats.

Still seeing pop-ups after turning bubbles off?

• Notifications are a separate setting. Bubbles off still leaves normal notifications on. Messenger has separate help for turning notifications on or off.
• Your phone's settings can override the app. Android has its own bubble and notification controls for each app, so check Messenger's notification settings on your phone too.
• The app needs an update. Update Messenger and check the Bubbles setting again.

Bubbles during games and videos

Bubbles are most annoying when they float over a full-screen game, a video or a presentation. If you only want peace at those times, you don't have to switch bubbles off completely. Use your phone's Do Not Disturb or focus mode while you're playing or presenting, then turn it off afterwards. Messages still arrive, and you can catch up in one go when you're ready.

A quick tidy-up for busy chats

• Mute group chats that send lots of messages, so they don't create bubbles all day.
• Keep bubbles on for the one or two people you always want to hear from quickly.
• Drag bubbles to the edge of the screen so they don't cover what you're reading.
• Close bubbles you've finished with by dragging them to the bottom of the screen.

Bubbles on other Android phones

Messenger's help names Pixel phones on Android 11 and higher, but bubbles are an Android system feature, so phones from other makers may show them too, sometimes with slightly different settings. If the Messenger setting doesn't seem to change anything, look in your phone's own notification settings for Messenger, where Android lets you control bubbles for each app.

When bubbles are worth keeping

For busy people, bubbles can save time: you can answer a quick message from a customer or friend without leaving the document or map you're using. If you only find them annoying at certain times, a better option may be muting individual chats or using Do Not Disturb, rather than turning bubbles off for everything.

If Messenger itself is misbehaving, my guides to Messenger crashing and Messenger saying waiting for network cover the common fixes.

My verdict

Go to Menu, Settings, Bubbles and choose Nothing can bubble to stop them for good, or drag a single bubble to the bottom of the screen to close it. If you want them back, choose All conversations can bubble. And if the option's missing, update your phone, since Messenger ties bubbles to newer Android versions. Either way, it takes under a minute to set things up the way you like.

Frequently asked questions

How do I turn off bubbles on Messenger?

Tap Menu, Settings, Bubbles, then select Nothing can bubble.

How do I close a Messenger bubble?

Drag it to the bottom of the screen and let go.

Why don't I see Messenger bubbles?

Messenger says bubbles are on Pixel phones with Android 11 and higher. Update your phone and check Settings, Bubbles.

Are bubbles the same as chat heads?

They do a similar job. Bubbles use Android's bubble system, and the setting is under Bubbles.

Will turning off bubbles stop notifications?

No. Notifications are a separate setting.

Can I keep bubbles for some chats but not others?

Mute the busy chats you don't want bubbling and leave the rest. Your phone's notification settings for Messenger can also control bubbles per app.

How do I stop bubbles during games?

Use your phone's Do Not Disturb or focus mode while playing, instead of switching bubbles off completely.

Why do bubbles keep coming back?

Check both the Messenger Bubbles setting and your phone's notification settings for Messenger, since either can turn them on.

Do Messenger bubbles work on iPhone?

Messenger describes bubbles as an Android feature.