Facebook Marketing

How to Transfer Facebook Page Ownership: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Marcus Rodriguez
Marcus Rodriguez
8 min read

TL;DR - Quick Answer

16 min read

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Transferring Facebook page ownership is a common need when employees leave, businesses change hands, or responsibilities shift. This guide walks you through the safe, official process step by step.

Before You Start: Important Requirements

Who Can Transfer Ownership

Only current Page admins can transfer ownership to another person. If you're not an admin, you'll need to ask someone with admin access to help.

New Owner Requirements

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The person receiving ownership must:

  • Have an active Facebook personal account
  • Accept your invitation to become an admin
  • Wait 7 days after becoming admin before ownership can be transferred

What You'll Need

  • Access to the Facebook page as an admin
  • Email address of the new owner
  • Patience (the process can take 24-48 hours to complete)

Step-by-Step Transfer Process

Step 1: Add the New Owner as Admin

First, make the new owner an admin of the page.

  1. Go to your Facebook page
  2. Click Settings in the left sidebar
  3. Select Page Roles from the menu
  4. In the "Assign a New Page Role" section:
    • Enter the person's name or email
    • Select Admin from the dropdown
    • Click Add

The person will receive a notification and must accept the admin role.

Step 2: Wait 7 Days

Facebook requires a 7-day waiting period before ownership can be transferred. This security measure prevents unauthorized transfers.

During this waiting period:

  • The new admin can perform all admin functions
  • You remain the page owner
  • Both admins can add/remove other roles

Step 3: Transfer Primary Admin Role

After 7 days, transfer the primary admin role.

  1. Return to Settings > Page Roles
  2. Find the new admin in the existing roles list
  3. Click Edit next to their name
  4. Change their role to Primary Admin
  5. Click Save

Facebook will ask you to confirm this action.

Step 4: Confirm Transfer

You'll receive a confirmation dialog:

  • Review the transfer details carefully
  • Enter your Facebook password when prompted
  • Click Confirm to complete the transfer

The new owner will receive a notification about their new role.

Alternative Method: Business Manager Transfer

For business pages managed through Business Manager, use this method:

Step 1: Access Business Settings

  1. Go to business.facebook.com
  2. Click Business Settings
  3. Select Pages from the left menu

Step 2: Transfer Page

  1. Find your page in the list
  2. Click Assign Partner
  3. Enter the new owner's Business Manager ID
  4. Select Transfer ownership option
  5. Click Send Request

The new owner must accept the transfer request.

What Happens After Transfer

For the Previous Owner

  • You lose all admin access to the page
  • You're automatically removed from page roles
  • You can't undo the transfer yourself
  • You must request access if you need it back

For the New Owner

  • You gain full control of the page
  • You can add/remove other admins
  • You manage all page settings and content
  • You're responsible for page compliance

Common Issues and Solutions

Problem: "Can't Find User" Error

Causes:

  • The person hasn't accepted your friend request
  • Their privacy settings restrict page invitations
  • They've blocked page role invitations

Solutions:

  • Ask them to send you a friend request first
  • Have them check their privacy settings
  • Use their email address instead of name search

Problem: 7-Day Waiting Period

Why it exists: Facebook's security measure to prevent unauthorized transfers.

What to do:

  • Wait the full 7 days, there's no way to skip it
  • The new admin can still help manage the page during this time
  • Use this time to train them on page management

Problem: Transfer Button Not Available

Possible reasons:

  • You're not the current primary admin
  • The new admin hasn't been admin for 7 days
  • The page has policy violations
  • Technical issues with Facebook

Solutions:

  • Verify your admin status
  • Check if 7 days have passed
  • Contact Facebook support if technical issues persist

Problem: New Owner Can't Accept Role

Common causes:

  • They're not logged into the correct Facebook account
  • Their account has restrictions
  • They've reached the page limit (200 pages maximum)

Solutions:

  • Confirm they're using the right account
  • Check for any account restrictions
  • Ask them to remove some pages if at the limit

Security Best Practices

Before Transferring

  1. Remove sensitive content like private messages or confidential posts
  2. Download page data for your records
  3. Document current settings and configurations
  4. Revoke access to any connected apps or tools

Verify the New Owner

  • Confirm identity through multiple channels
  • Use official company email addresses when possible
  • Meet in person for high-value pages
  • Get written authorization for business transfers

After Transfer

  • Change passwords on any connected accounts
  • Update business records with new contact information
  • Inform team members about the ownership change
  • Update access permissions on related tools

Special Situations

Business Sale or Acquisition

When a business changes hands:

  1. Include Facebook page ownership in sale agreements
  2. Transfer during the official transition period
  3. Update Business Manager ownership if applicable
  4. Coordinate with legal teams for compliance

Employee Departure

When an employee who owns the page leaves:

  1. Transfer ownership before their last day
  2. Remove their access to all related accounts
  3. Update page contact information
  4. Change passwords on connected tools

Agency to In-House Transfer

When moving from agency management to internal:

  1. Coordinate with your agency contact
  2. Set up internal Business Manager first
  3. Transfer during a quiet period
  4. Test all integrations after transfer

Preventing Future Issues

Set Up Multiple Admins

Always have multiple people with admin access:

  • At least 2-3 trusted admins
  • Include internal team members
  • Document who has access
  • Regular access reviews

Use Business Manager

For businesses, use Facebook Business Manager:

  • More professional account structure
  • Better access controls
  • Easier to manage multiple pages
  • More transfer options

Document Access

Keep records of:

  • Who has admin access
  • When access was granted
  • Business justification for access
  • Regular access review dates

What If Something Goes Wrong

Contact Facebook Support

If you encounter issues:

  1. Use Facebook's Business Help Center
  2. Submit a support ticket with details
  3. Include page ID and screenshot of errors
  4. Be patient, as responses can take time

Gather Documentation

Prepare:

  • Screenshots of error messages
  • Email confirmations
  • Business documentation proving ownership
  • Timeline of actions taken

Update Page Information

New owners should:

  • Review and update contact information
  • Check page settings and permissions
  • Update connected apps and integrations
  • Review advertising accounts connected to the page

Team Communication

Inform relevant parties:

  • Team members about the change
  • Marketing agencies or partners
  • Anyone who manages content or advertising
  • Customer service teams who respond to messages
  • Review Facebook Business Manager documentation for enterprise features
  • Develop your team structure for social media management

Frequently Asked Questions About Facebook Page Ownership Transfer

How long does it take to transfer Facebook page ownership?

The actual transfer process takes minutes once completed, but you must wait 7 days after adding someone as an admin before you can transfer ownership to them. This is Facebook's security measure to prevent unauthorized transfers.

Can I transfer ownership of a Facebook page without admin access?

No, you must be an admin of the page to transfer ownership. If you don't have admin access, you'll need to request admin privileges from someone who currently has admin access to the page.

What happens to the previous owner after transferring Facebook page ownership?

The previous owner loses all admin access and is automatically removed from page roles. They cannot undo the transfer and must request access from the new owner if they need it back.

Can I transfer multiple Facebook pages at once?

No, Facebook page ownership must be transferred individually for each page. However, if your pages are managed through Business Manager, you can transfer the entire Business Manager account which includes all associated pages.

Is there a way to skip the 7-day waiting period for Facebook page transfers?

No, the 7-day waiting period is mandatory and cannot be bypassed. This security measure exists to prevent unauthorized page transfers and gives time to detect any suspicious activity.

What should I do if the transfer button isn't showing up?

Ensure you're the primary admin, the new admin has been an admin for at least 7 days, and there are no policy violations on the page. If issues persist, try logging out and back in, or contact Facebook support.

Can I transfer a Facebook page to someone without a Facebook account?

No, the new owner must have an active Facebook personal account and must accept the admin invitation before ownership can be transferred. They'll also need to wait the full 7-day period as an admin.

Will transferring page ownership affect my Facebook ads or posts?

No, existing posts, ads, and page content remain unchanged during ownership transfer. However, any connected ad accounts or Business Manager assets may need to be transferred separately or reconnected.

Can I reverse a Facebook page ownership transfer?

No, once ownership is transferred, the previous owner cannot reverse it. Only the new owner can transfer ownership back, and they would need to follow the same 7-day process including adding you as admin first.

Do I need to update anything else after transferring Facebook page ownership?

Yes, update any connected tools, advertising accounts, review business information, change passwords on related accounts, and inform team members. Also update business records and contact information as needed.

Facebook page ownership transfer is straightforward when you follow the official process. Plan ahead, verify all parties, and maintain security throughout the process.

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