You know what happened last month? My client Sarah called me in a panic because her social media manager couldn't post updates on their business page. Turns out she'd assigned him as an editor instead of admin. Total chaos for three days before they figured it out. That's why getting this right matters – one wrong click and your team loses crucial access.
Look, whether you're handing off your bakery's page to a new hire or adding your business partner, making someone a Facebook admin shouldn't feel like defusing a bomb. I've managed over 50 business pages since 2018, and let's be real – Facebook's interface changes more often than most people change their profile pictures. But the core steps? Those stay consistent once you know where to look.
Key Takeaway First
To make someone an admin: Page Settings → Page Roles → Type Name → Choose 'Admin' → Enter Password. But stick around because the devil's in the details – permissions, restrictions, and troubleshooting matter way more than you'd think.
Why Page Roles Actually Matter (More Than You Think)
Giving someone full admin access is like handing them keys to your store. Last year, a local boutique got locked out of their page for weeks because their only admin left the company and deactivated their personal profile. Nightmare scenario.
Here's what different roles can do:
Facebook Page Role Capabilities
| Task | Admin | Editor | Moderator | Advertiser |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delete the page | ✓ Full control | ✗ No access | ✗ No access | ✗ No access |
| Manage admin roles | ✓ Add/remove admins | ✗ View only | ✗ View only | ✗ No access |
| Create/delete posts | ✓ Full access | ✓ Full access | ✓ Can delete comments | ✗ No access |
| Run ads | ✓ Full access | ✓ Full access | ✓ Can view ads | ✓ Create/manage ads |
| View page insights | ✓ Full analytics | ✓ Full analytics | ✓ Basic metrics | ✓ Ad performance only |
| Respond to messages | ✓ Full access | ✓ Full access | ✓ Respond to comments | ✗ No access |
See why choosing between admin vs editor matters? I once gave a VA editor access thinking it was enough – big mistake when we needed to update business info during a holiday closure and she couldn't touch settings.
Step-by-Step: Making Someone an Admin on Facebook Page
On Desktop (The Classic Way)
Prerequisite: You must be an existing admin. Facebook won't let you delegate what you don't have.
- Go to your Facebook page (not your personal profile)
- Click Settings in bottom left (under your cover photo)
- Select Page Roles from left sidebar
- In "Assign a New Page Role" section, type the person's name or email
- Click the dropdown menu next to their name – it probably says "Editor" by default
- Select Admin from the list (it's usually the top option)
- Enter your Facebook password when prompted (security check)
- Click Submit and wait for the confirmation
Pro tip: Always double-check the name. Facebook auto-suggests connections, and I've nearly added the wrong John Smith twice.
Mobile Method (Android/iOS App)
Honestly? I avoid doing this on mobile unless absolutely necessary. The interface is cramped and error-prone. But when you're on the go:
- Open Facebook app and tap the hamburger menu (≡)
- Tap Pages and select your page
- Tap the three-dot menu (...) at top right
- Scroll to Page Settings → Page Roles
- Tap Add Person to Page
- Search for the person (must be your Facebook friend or have liked your page)
- Tap the role dropdown and switch to Admin
- Enter password and confirm
Warning: Smaller screens increase mis-tap risks. Zoom in if needed.
Common Hiccups When Trying to Add Page Admins
Facebook doesn't always play nice. Here's what actually happens behind the scenes:
The "Can't Find Person" Error
Happens because either:
- The person hasn't liked your page (solution: ask them to like it first)
- They're using a different email than their Facebook account (try name instead)
- Privacy settings block them from being found (they need to adjust in personal settings)
When my colleague Miguel couldn't be added, we discovered his workplace had restricted Facebook searches. He had to temporarily disable that.
Another headache: The "Pending Invitation" limbo. If they don't accept within 7 days? The invite vanishes. I learned to send a Slack reminder immediately after adding someone.
Admin vs Other Roles: What Most Guides Won't Tell You
Beyond official permissions, here's real-world impact:
- Task Delegation: Editors can schedule posts but can't remove scam comments pretending to be your brand
- Security Risk: Admins can remove you from your own page (happened to a restaurant client during a partnership breakup)
- Audit Trails: Only admins see full activity logs – crucial for tracking who changed what
My rule? Never make vendors or temps full admins. Give them editor access until trust is established.
Managing Existing Admins Like a Pro
Found that ex-employee still has access? Here's the fix:
- Go to Page Roles like before
- Find their name under "Existing Page Roles"
- Click the pencil icon next to their role
- Select Remove and confirm
But caution: Removing the only admin deletes your page. Facebook requires at least one admin at all times. I keep two trusted admins minimum after a close call in 2020.
Critical Security Settings After Adding Admins
Adding someone is step one. Locking things down is step two:
| Setting | Where to Find | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Two-factor authentication | Page Settings → Security | Prevents hackers from accessing via compromised admin accounts |
| Page ownership | Settings → Page Transparency | Verifies real business ownership (reduces impersonation risk) |
| Admin approval alerts | Settings → Notifications | Emails you when roles change – catches unauthorized changes fast |
I enable login alerts for all business accounts. Got notified within minutes when a team member's account was breached last year.
Your Top Questions Answered (Real User Scenarios)
Can I make someone an admin without being friends?
Yes, but they must have liked your page. Type their exact public name or connected email. If they're completely unconnected? You'll need to send a friend request first (annoying but unavoidable).
Why does "Admin" option disappear sometimes?
Usually means either:
- You're not a full admin yourself (check your role)
- The person is restricted by Facebook (common with new accounts)
- You've reached the 50-admins-per-page limit (yes, that's a real ceiling)
Do admins see my personal Facebook activity?
No, unless you comment on the page as yourself. Page roles are separate from personal profiles. But they can see your admin activity on the page itself.
Can I assign admin rights temporarily?
Facebook doesn't have built-in expiration dates. You must manually remove them later. For contractors, I set calendar reminders to revoke access post-project.
What if the new admin doesn't get the invite?
Check their "Pages" feed or Facebook notifications. If missing:
- Resend the invitation
- Ensure they didn't accidentally decline it
- Try adding via email instead of name
When Adding Admins Goes Wrong: Damage Control
Mistakes happen. Last year I accidentally demoted my co-admin to editor during a midnight session. Recovery plan:
- Locked out? Have another admin reinstate you
- No other admins? Use Facebook's Page Support form (requires ID verification)
- Malicious admin? Report under "Page Integrity" in settings
Document everything – timestamps, emails, screenshots. Facebook support moves slow without evidence.
Pro Tips From 6 Years of Managing Pages
These aren't in Facebook's manuals:
- Always have 2-3 trusted admins (spread across different organizations)
- Review roles quarterly – people leave companies and forget access
- Use Business Suite for enterprise-level permission controls
- Never share passwords – role assignments exist for security
- Test new admins with low-risk tasks before granting full control
The most chaotic call I ever handled? When a beauty brand gave 22 interns admin access simultaneously. Took three days to clean up the permission chaos.
Beyond Admins: When to Use Facebook Business Suite
Managing multiple pages or complex teams? Upgrade to Business Suite:
| Feature | Standard Page Roles | Business Suite |
|---|---|---|
| Granular permissions | Basic roles only | Custom task-based access (e.g., "Can run ads but not post") |
| Multi-page management | Admins per page only | Centralized admin dashboard for all pages |
| Permission expiration | Manual removal only | Auto-revoke access after set dates |
For my agency clients, Business Suite saves about 5 hours weekly on access management alone.
Look, understanding precisely how to make someone an admin on a Facebook page prevents operational disasters. But remember – with great power comes great responsibility. Assign roles strategically, monitor activity, and always keep a backup admin. Got questions I didn't cover? Drop them in the comments – I check daily.
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