To add an admin to a Facebook group, you must already be an admin: open the group, go to Members (or People), find the person, open the options next to their name and invite them as an admin or moderator. They become admin once they accept, and new admins can remove members and other admins, so choose carefully.
Running a Facebook group alone gets heavy fast, and adding a second admin is the easiest relief. It's also the setting most worth getting right, because a new admin gets almost the same power you have, including the power to remove you. Here's how to add an admin or moderator, which one to choose, and the rule that pauses your group if you ever leave without one.
Steps to add an admin to a Facebook group
- Open the Facebook group you manage.
- Go to Members (sometimes shown as People).
- Find the person you want to promote.
- Open the options next to their name (the three dots).
- Choose to invite them as an admin or a moderator.
- They get an invitation and become admin or moderator once they accept.
Facebook says only admins can make someone an admin or moderator, and the person must be an active member of the group first. If they haven't joined yet, ask them to join and post or comment before you promote them.
Admin or moderator?
| Admin | Moderator | |
|---|---|---|
| Remove members | Yes | Usually limited to member and post moderation |
| Remove or add admins | Yes | No |
| Edit group description and settings | Yes | No |
| Best for | A trusted co-owner | Help with day-to-day moderation |
Facebook says that once you make someone an admin, they can remove members or admins, add new admins, and edit the group's description and settings. That's why I'd make most helpers moderators first. Promote to admin only people you'd trust with the whole group, because an admin can remove you too.
The 7-day rule if you're the only admin
This is the detail every solo group owner should know. Facebook says that if the only admin leaves the group or deactivates their account, the group is automatically paused if they don't pick a new admin, or if nobody accepts the admin invitation within 7 days. A paused group is frozen until someone takes charge. Facebook also says that if a group has a moderator but no admins, the moderator can make themself an admin.
So even if you plan to run the group alone, appoint at least one moderator. It's free insurance against your group being paused if something happens to your account, such as being locked out or hacked.
Make your business Page an admin
Facebook lets you make a Page an admin of a group you manage. For businesses, that means the group can be run under your brand rather than your personal name, and posts and comments from the admin team can appear as the Page. It's worth doing if the group exists to support customers or a product.
Remove an admin or moderator
If you need to step someone back, Facebook has a separate process for removing an admin or moderator from your group, done from the same Members list and options menu. If someone is misusing their admin rights, remove them promptly, before they can remove anyone else.
Who can invite new members?
Admins of private, hidden groups can also decide who can invite new members with a link: admins only, admins and moderators, or anyone in the group. When you add admins and moderators, it's a good moment to review that setting too, so growth stays in the hands of people you trust.
If the admin invitation isn't accepted
An invitation isn't a promotion until the person accepts it. If nothing happens, ask them to check their Facebook notifications, or to open the group, where pending admin invitations usually show. If they've left the group or aren't active in it, Facebook won't let you make them admin, so they need to rejoin first. When you're the only admin and planning to leave, send invitations to two or three people, so at least one accepts within the 7 days.
Choosing good admins
- Pick people who are already active and respected in the group.
- Agree the group rules and how you'll handle problems before promoting anyone.
- Start new helpers as moderators and promote later.
- Have at least two admins in different time zones if your group is international, so someone is always around to approve posts.
For other group housekeeping, see my guides to changing a Facebook group name and inviting friends to like a Facebook Page if your group is linked to a business Page.
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My verdict
Go to Members, open the person's options, and invite them as admin or moderator. Make most helpers moderators, keep admin for people you'd trust with the whole group, and never run a group with only one admin, because Facebook pauses it if that admin leaves and nobody accepts within 7 days.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add an admin to my Facebook group?
Open the group, go to Members, open the options next to the person and choose to invite them as admin. They need to accept.
Who can add admins to a Facebook group?
Only existing admins can make someone an admin or moderator.
Can an admin remove me from my own group?
Yes. Facebook says admins can remove members or admins and add new admins.
What happens if the only admin leaves a Facebook group?
The group is paused if no new admin is chosen or nobody accepts within 7 days.
What's the difference between an admin and a moderator?
Admins can change settings and manage admins. Moderators help with day-to-day moderation.
Why can't I make someone an admin of my Facebook group?
Facebook says the person must be an active member of the group. Ask them to join and take part first.
Can a Facebook Page be a group admin?
Yes. Facebook lets you make a Page an admin of a group you manage.
