The basic steps to add another account holder
To add another person to your Facebook account, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then find the section called "Access Your Account." From there, select "Who can access your account" and choose "Add person." Facebook will ask you to enter the person's name and email address or phone number. They will receive a notification that they have been added, and they can then set up their own password to access the account.
The person you add will have full access to the account — they can see all messages, photos, and posts, and they can make changes to the account settings. This is different from giving someone temporary access to reset a forgotten password. When you add an account holder, you are giving them permanent control alongside your own.
Facebook calls these people "trusted contacts" when they are set up to help you regain access if you get locked out. But if you want someone to actively use and manage the account with you, the process is the same: you add them through the same menu, and they become a full account holder.
Key Takeaways
- You add another account holder through Settings and Privacy > Settings > Access Your Account > Who can access your account.
- The person you add will have full access to everything on the account, including messages, photos, and the ability to change settings.
- They will receive a notification and must set their own password before they can log in.
- You can remove an account holder at any time through the same menu by selecting their name and choosing "Remove."
What happens after you send the invitation
Once you enter the person's email or phone number, Facebook sends them a notification. They do not automatically gain access — they have to accept the invitation and create a password first. Until they do, they cannot log into the account, even though you have sent the invitation.
The person has no time limit to accept. They can accept when ready or wait days or weeks. If they never accept, the invitation stays pending and you can cancel it at any time by going back to the same menu and selecting "Remove" next to their name.
After they accept and set a password, both of you can log in with your own separate passwords. You will each see a notification at the top of the account when the other person is logged in, so you know when someone else is using it.
Removing an account holder
If you want to remove someone from the account later, go back to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Access Your Account > Who can access your account. Find the person's name and select "Remove." They will lose access when ready and will not be able to log in anymore.
Removing someone does not delete their activity or messages from the account — it only takes away their ability to log in. All the posts they made, comments they left, and messages they sent will stay on the account. If you want to delete specific posts or messages they created, you will have to do that separately.
When you should add another account holder
Adding another account holder makes sense if you want someone to help manage the account day-to-day — for example, if you run a business page with a partner, or if a family member helps you post and respond to messages. It also makes sense if you want to give someone access in case something happens to you and they need to manage the account.
If you only want someone to help you reset your password if you get locked out, you do not need to make them a full account holder. Instead, you can add them as a "trusted contact" through the same menu — they will be able to help you regain access without being able to log in and use the account themselves.
Security things to know
When you add someone as an account holder, they can see all your private messages, photos, and personal information on the account. They can also change your password, update your email address, or remove you from the account. Only add people you trust completely.
If you add someone and later realize you made a mistake, remove them right away. There is no way to limit what an account holder can see or do — it is all or nothing. If you need someone to have limited access (for example, to post on a business page but not see private messages), Facebook has separate tools for that through their business account settings.
Troubleshooting if the invitation does not go through
If you enter someone's email or phone number and Facebook says it does not recognize it, the person may not have a Facebook account yet. Ask them to create one first, then try adding them again using the email or phone number they used to sign up.
If the person says they never received the notification, check that you entered their information correctly. You can also try removing the pending invitation and sending it again. If it still does not work, the person can try logging out and back in, which sometimes refreshes notifications.
If you are trying to add someone but the "Add person" button does not appear, make sure you are using the most current version of Facebook or the Facebook app. Older versions sometimes do not show all the options. You can also try using Facebook on a web browser instead of the app, or vice versa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone who does not have a Facebook account?
No. The person must have their own Facebook account first. They can create one for free using an email address or phone number. Once they have an account, you can add them as an account holder.
Will the person I add be able to see my personal messages?
Yes. Account holders have full access to everything on the account, including all messages, photos, and personal information. Only add people you trust completely with your private information.
Can I add more than one person to the same account?
Yes. You can add multiple account holders. Each person will have the same full access to the account. You can manage all of them through the same "Who can access your account" menu.
What is the difference between an account holder and a trusted contact?
An account holder can log in and use the account anytime. A trusted contact can only help you regain access if you get locked out — they cannot log in or use the account otherwise. Use trusted contacts if you want someone to help with password recovery but not daily access.
If I remove someone, can they still see posts I made while they were an account holder?
Yes. Removing someone only takes away their ability to log in. All the posts, messages, and activity from when they were an account holder stay on the account. If you want to delete specific things they saw or posted, you have to remove them manually.