Switch your organization's Workplace to Read Only Mode

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Workplace is closing in 2026
Organization data will be available for system admins to download until May 31, 2026. For full timeline details and to stay updated on how your organization can prepare for leaving Workplace, read our announcement article.
Note: After you’ve switched to Read Only Mode, the Workchat Desktop App will stop working. You can access Workplace in Read Only Mode through either a web browser or the mobile app.
Read Only Mode restricts your organization from adding content (posts, comments or chats) to its Workplace instance.
All organizations will automatically switch to Read Only on September 1, 2025 as part of the planned timeline for Workplace closing in 2026. But you can manually switch on Read Only Mode from the Admin Panel at any time before this date.
If your organization decides to switch to Read Only Mode before September 1, 2025 and is part of any multi-company groups on Workplace, we recommend that you notify all members of the date you’ll be switching, so that they know you and your users will not be able to communicate with them via Workplace after that date.
Activating Read Only Mode does not affect your billing. You will continue to be billed for and are expected to continue paying your fees. For clarity, activating Read Only Mode before September 1, 2025 does not provide or enable free access to Workplace during such time. Meta will not charge for Workplace beginning September 1, 2025 when Read Only Mode is mandatory for all Workplace customers.
Accessing Workplace in Read Only Mode
After Read Only Mode is activated, all users will still be able to sign in to their Workplace accounts and download their own data. All existing content posted before Read Only Mode was switched on will continue to be available for browsing and viewing.
System admin users will still be able to access the Admin Panel, including access to the Workplace data download tool. Read Download your organization’s Workplace data for more information and instructions on using the download tool.
Turn on Read Only Mode from the Admin Panel
You can switch on Read Only Mode from the Admin Panel by following these steps:
  1. Click on Settings in the Admin Panel menu.
  2. Scroll down to Workplace access and click on Edit. Note: The second API Read Only Mode option can only be enabled once you’ve enabled this general Read Only Mode.
  3. Switch the radio button selection from Read Only Mode Disabled to Read Only Mode Enabled.
  4. Click Save.
  5. Review the pop-up message and if you’re happy to proceed, click Confirm.
Turn off Read Only Mode from the Admin Panel
If you activate Read Only Mode early, you can deactivate it at any time before September 1, 2025. To do this:
  1. Click on Settings in the Admin Panel menu.
  2. Scroll down to Workplace access and click on Edit.
  3. Switch the radio button selection from Read Only Mode Enabled to Read Only Mode Disabled.
  4. Click Save.

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