How to transfer administrator control of your Facebook page

To change the administrator on a Facebook page, you go to the page settings, find the Roles section, and either add a new administrator or remove the current one. The process takes about two minutes and requires that you already have administrator access to the page. If you no longer have access — because the original admin left or the account was compromised — you will need to go through Facebook's account recovery process instead.

The person you are adding as administrator must already have a Facebook account and must accept the role before they gain full control. You can have multiple administrators on one page, and you can remove yourself after someone else takes over, or keep both roles active if you want shared management.

Key Takeaways

  • You must already be an administrator to change administrator roles; if you have only Editor or Moderator access, you cannot make this change.
  • The new administrator must have an active Facebook account and must accept the role invitation before they can manage the page.
  • You can add a new administrator without removing yourself, or you can transfer full control by removing your own access after they accept.
  • If the page administrator account no longer exists or you cannot access it, you will need to use Facebook's account recovery or request page ownership through a different process.

Steps to add a new administrator

Open the Facebook page where you want to change the administrator. Click the Settings button at the top right of the page (it looks like a gear icon). On the left side menu, select Roles.

In the Roles section, you will see fields for Administrator, Editor, Moderator, and Analyst. Click in the Administrator field and type the name or email of the person you want to add. Facebook will show you a list of matching accounts. Select the correct person from the dropdown.

Once you select them, Facebook will send them a notification that they have been invited to become an administrator. They must accept this invitation before the role becomes active. You will see their name in the Administrator section with a status showing whether they have accepted yet.

What happens when you remove yourself as administrator

If you want to hand over the page completely, you can remove your own administrator access after the new administrator accepts their role. Go back to Settings, then Roles, and click the X next to your name in the Administrator field. You will lose all ability to edit the page, change settings, or manage posts.

Before you remove yourself, make sure the new administrator has accepted their invitation and that you have their contact information. Once you are removed, you cannot undo it yourself — the new administrator would have to add you back. If something goes wrong and you need access again, you will have to contact the new administrator and ask them to restore your role.

Keeping multiple administrators on one page

You do not have to remove yourself to add someone else. Many pages have two or more administrators who share management duties. Each administrator can add or remove other administrators, change page settings, post content, and manage comments.

If you keep multiple administrators, make sure everyone agrees on who has what responsibilities. There is no way to limit what an administrator can do — all administrators have the same full access. If you want someone to help manage the page but not have complete control, assign them as an Editor or Moderator instead, which gives them fewer permissions.

The difference between administrator, editor, moderator, and analyst roles

Facebook pages have four role levels, and each one controls what a person can do. An Administrator can do everything: post, edit posts, delete posts, change page settings, manage roles, and delete the entire page. An Editor can post and edit content and manage comments, but cannot change page settings or manage other people's roles. A Moderator can delete comments and posts and respond to messages, but cannot post new content or change settings. An Analyst can only view page statistics and reports — they cannot make any changes.

If the person you are adding does not need full administrator power, choosing a lower role reduces the risk if their account is compromised or if they leave your organization. You can always promote them to administrator later if their responsibilities change.

What to do if you cannot access the administrator account

If the original page administrator no longer has access to their Facebook account — because they left the organization, the account was hacked, or they forgot the password — you cannot straightforward add a new administrator through the normal Roles section. Instead, you will need to request ownership of the page through a different process.

Go to the page and click Settings. Scroll down to find the section labeled "Page Ownership" or "Request Admin Role." Facebook will ask you to verify your identity and explain why you should have access. The process can take several days, and Facebook may ask for additional information like business documentation or proof that you represent the organization.

If you are locked out of a business page and need faster help, you can contact Facebook's business support through the Help Center, though response times vary. Have the page URL and your own account information ready when you contact them.

Common mistakes when changing page administrators

The most common mistake is removing yourself before the new administrator has accepted their invitation. If you do this, you will lose access to the page and cannot add yourself back — the new administrator has to do it. Always wait for a notification that the new person has accepted before you remove your own access.

Another mistake is adding someone who does not have a Facebook account yet. They must create an account and verify their email before they can accept an administrator role. If you add someone and they never accept, the invitation will sit in their notifications indefinitely, and they will not have any actual access to the page.

A third mistake is not communicating with the new administrator about what they are responsible for. If multiple people have administrator access and no one is clear about who is posting what or who is managing comments, the page can become disorganized or have duplicate posts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone as administrator if they do not have a Facebook account?

No. The person must have an active Facebook account before you can assign them any role on your page. If they do not have one, they will need to create an account, verify their email address, and set up their profile first. Then you can add them as administrator.

What if the new administrator does not accept the invitation?

The invitation will stay in their notifications, but they will not have any access to the page until they accept it. You can send them a message reminding them to check their notifications, or you can remove the invitation and add them again. There is no time limit on how long an invitation stays active.

Can I remove someone as administrator without their permission?

Yes. Any administrator can remove any other administrator at any time. The removed person will lose all access to the page when ready, and they will receive a notification that they are no longer an administrator. There is no way for them to undo this themselves.

What happens to posts if I remove an administrator?

Their posts stay on the page. Removing someone as administrator does not delete their content. If you want to delete specific posts they made, you can do that separately through the page's post history.

Can I have a Facebook page with no administrator?

No. Every page must have at least one administrator. If you try to remove the last administrator, Facebook will not allow it. You must add a new administrator before you can remove the current one.