Facebook lets you add another person to manage your account, but the process depends on whether you want to give them full access or limited control
Facebook offers two main ways to add someone else to your account. The first is Account Ownership, which gives another person full control—they can change your password, delete the account, and access everything. The second is Designated Contacts, which lets you name people who can request access to your account if you die or become unreachable, but they cannot use it while you are alive. A third option, Page Roles, applies only if you manage a Facebook Page (not your personal account) and want to add editors or moderators.
Most people looking to share account management want either full ownership transfer or to name someone as a backup contact. The steps differ significantly between these two, so start by deciding what level of access the other person actually needs.
Key Takeaways
- Adding an Account Owner gives another person complete control of your account, including the ability to change your password and delete it permanently.
- Designated Contacts can request access to your account only after you die or stop responding for a set period, and they cannot use it while you are alive.
- To add an Account Owner, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then find the Accounts Center and select your account.
- To add a Designated Contact, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll to find Deceased Account or Legacy Contact and choose your contacts.
- Both processes require the other person's Facebook profile or email address, and you can remove them at any time.
Adding a Full Account Owner
If you want to give someone complete control of your Facebook account—meaning they can log in, change the password, post, delete content, and even delete the account entirely—you add them as an Account Owner through the Accounts Center.
Open Facebook on a computer or phone and go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Look for Accounts Center in the left menu (on mobile, you may need to scroll down). Select your Facebook account from the list. Tap or click Account Ownership and Control, then Add Owner. Enter the name or email of the person you want to add. Facebook will send them a notification asking them to confirm. Once they accept, they have the same access to your account as you do.
You can have more than one Account Owner. Each owner can add or remove other owners without asking you first, so only add people you trust completely. If you want to remove an owner later, return to the same menu, find their name, and select Remove.
Adding a Designated Contact for After You Die
A Designated Contact (also called a Legacy Contact) is someone Facebook will allow to request access to your account if you pass away or become permanently unreachable. They cannot log in or use your account while you are alive, but after your death they can download your photos and posts, respond to friend requests, or memorialize your account.
Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Scroll down and look for Deceased Account or Legacy Contact (the name varies by region). Select Assign a Legacy Contact. Search for the person by name or email address and select them. You can add up to one Legacy Contact. Facebook will notify them that you have named them, but they will not have any access until after your death is reported to Facebook.
If you change your mind, return to the same section and select Remove Legacy Contact. You can also choose whether your Legacy Contact can download your photos and posts, or only memorialize your account without downloading anything.
What Happens After You Add Someone
When you add an Account Owner, Facebook sends them a notification immediately. They must accept the invitation before they gain access. Once they do, they can log into your account from any device using their own password (or they can change your password if they prefer). They will see all your messages, photos, posts, and friends.
When you add a Designated Contact, Facebook notifies them, but nothing changes on your account. They remain a contact only. If someone reports your account as belonging to a deceased person, Facebook will reach out to your Designated Contact and ask them to prove their relationship to you. This process can take weeks.
Removing an Account Owner or Designated Contact
You can remove an Account Owner at any time by going back to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Accounts Center > your account > Account Ownership and Control. Find the owner's name and select Remove. They will lose access immediately, but they will know you removed them because Facebook sends a notification.
To remove a Designated Contact, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings, scroll to Deceased Account or Legacy Contact, and select Remove Legacy Contact. The person will be notified of the removal.
Adding Editors or Moderators to a Facebook Page
If you manage a Facebook Page (not your personal account), you add other people as Editors, Moderators, or Analysts rather than as Account Owners. These roles let them help manage the Page without controlling your personal account.
Go to your Page, select Settings, then Page Roles. Enter the person's name or email in the search box and choose their role: Editor (can post, delete posts, and manage comments), Moderator (can delete comments and posts but cannot change Page settings), or Analyst (can view Page insights but cannot post or edit). Click Add. They will receive an invitation and must accept it to gain access.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
If the person you are trying to add does not appear in the search, make sure you have their exact name or the email address associated with their Facebook account. If they have a very common name, Facebook may show multiple results—select the correct person by checking their profile picture. If you still cannot find them, ask them to send you the link to their Facebook profile and copy their name from there.
If someone you added as an Account Owner is not receiving the notification, check that you entered their email or name correctly. Ask them to check their email spam folder, or have them log into Facebook and look for a notification in their notification center. If the invitation expires (usually after 30 days), you will need to send it again.
If you are trying to add a Designated Contact and Facebook says you already have one, you must remove the current contact before adding a new one. You can only have one Legacy Contact at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone as an Account Owner if they do not have a Facebook account?
No. The person must have an active Facebook account. If they do not have one, they will need to create an account first. You can send them the link to sign up, and once their account is active, you can add them as an owner.
What is the difference between an Account Owner and a Designated Contact?
An Account Owner can use your account right now—they can log in, post, change your password, and delete the account. A Designated Contact cannot access your account while you are alive. They can only request access after you die or stop responding for a long period. Use Account Owner for someone who needs to help manage your account now, and Designated Contact for someone you trust to handle your account after you pass away.
Can I add multiple Account Owners?
Yes. You can add more than one Account Owner, and each owner can add or remove other owners without your permission. Only add people you trust completely, because they have the same power over your account as you do.
Will the person I add know my password?
Not necessarily. When you add an Account Owner, they can log in using their own Facebook password. They can also change your password if they want to, but Facebook does not share your current password with them automatically.
Can I remove an Account Owner if they refuse to leave?
Yes. You can remove any Account Owner at any time from the Account Ownership and Control menu, even if they do not agree. They will be notified that you removed them, but the removal takes effect immediately and they will lose access to your account.