What adding another account holder means
Adding another account holder to your Facebook account means giving another person the ability to log in, post, manage messages, and change settings on that account. Facebook calls this person a co-admin when you're managing a Page, but for a personal account, you're essentially sharing login access. The person you add can do almost everything you can do on that account — they see your messages, can post as you, and can change your password.
This is different from giving someone permission to manage a specific Page or group. You're handing over access to the account itself. Once someone has that access, they can change your email address, your phone number, or your password, which means they could lock you out. Only add someone you trust completely.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook personal accounts do not have an official "co-admin" feature like Pages do — adding another account holder means sharing your login credentials or using Facebook's Login Approvals feature to allow someone to access your account.
- The safest way to give someone access is to create a separate login method (like a new email address linked to your account) rather than sharing your password directly.
- Anyone with access to your account can change your password, email, phone number, and security settings, so only add people you trust with full control.
- If you manage a Facebook Page instead of a personal account, you can add admins, editors, and moderators through the Page Roles section without sharing your personal login.
The difference between personal accounts and Pages
Facebook treats personal accounts and Pages differently when sharing access. A personal account — the one you use to message friends and post photos — does not have an official role system. You either share your login or you do not.
A Facebook Page — which a business, organization, or public figure might run — has a built-in system for adding multiple people with different permission levels. You can add admins (full control), editors (can post and manage messages but not change roles), moderators (can respond to comments), and analysts (can view insights only). If you are managing a Page on behalf of a business or organization, this is the right approach, and you should never share your personal account login to do it.
How to add someone to a personal account
Facebook does not offer a native feature to add a co-admin to a personal account the way it does for Pages. Your options are limited to sharing access directly or using Facebook's security features to let someone log in from a trusted device.
The most straightforward method is to give the person your password and have them log in. You can do this by going to your account settings, clicking Security and Login, and showing them where to enter your credentials. However, this method is risky because they will have complete control, including the ability to change your password and lock you out.
A safer approach is to add an alternate email address or phone number to your account that only the other person knows. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Email or Phone, and add a second email or phone number. That person can then use that email or phone number to reset your password and log in. You will still receive a notification that someone logged in, and you can monitor the activity.
Adding roles to a Facebook Page instead
If you are managing a business account, community group, or public Page, use Facebook's built-in role system instead of sharing a personal login. This gives you control over what each person can do and creates a record of who made which changes.
To add someone to your Page, go to the Page, click Settings in the top menu, then select Roles on the left side. Click Add Admin (or Editor, Moderator, or Analyst depending on what access they need), type the person's name or email, and select them from the list. Choose their role — Admin has full control, Editor can post and manage messages, Moderator can respond to comments, and Analyst can view insights. Click Add and they will receive a notification to accept the role.
This method is far better than sharing a personal account because you can remove someone's access when ready, see a log of who posted what and when, and limit their permissions to only what they need.
Security steps to take before sharing access
Before you give anyone access to your account, set up two-factor authentication. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and Login > Two-Factor Authentication. Choose whether you want to use an authenticator app, SMS text messages, or a security key. This means that even if someone has your password, they cannot log in without also having access to your phone or authenticator app.
You should also review your active login sessions. In the same Security and Login section, you will see Where You're Logged In. This shows every device and location currently logged into your account. If you see a login you do not recognize, click the three dots next to it and select Log Out. After you add the other person, check this list regularly to make sure only the devices you expect are logged in.
Consider changing your password to something new before you share access, and make sure the person you are adding understands that they should not share your login with anyone else. If your relationship with that person changes — if you break up, end a business partnership, or stop working together — change your password when ready and remove their access.
What happens if you need to remove someone's access
If you shared your password and need to remove someone's access, the only reliable way is to change your password. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and Login > Change Password. Enter your current password, then create a new one. This will log out everyone who was using the old password, including the person you want to remove.
If you added an alternate email address or phone number for them to use, you can remove it instead. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Email or Phone, find the address or number you added for them, and click the X next to it. This prevents them from using that method to reset your password, but if they already know your current password, they can still log in.
For a Facebook Page, removing someone is simpler. Go to Settings > Roles, find the person's name, and click the X next to their role. They will lose access when ready and will receive a notification that they have been removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can two people log into the same Facebook account at the same time?
Yes. Once someone has your password or a way to reset it, they can log in from a different device while you are still logged in. Facebook will show you a notification that someone logged in from a new location, but it will not prevent the login. Both of you can be online at the same time.
What can someone do if they have access to my account?
They can post as you, read all your messages, change your email address and phone number, reset your password, change your privacy settings, read your photos, and delete posts. Essentially, they have the same power over your account that you do. Only share access with someone you trust completely.
Is there a way to give someone limited access to just messages or just photos?
Not for a personal account. Facebook does not offer granular permissions for personal accounts the way it does for Pages. If you need someone to manage only messages or only photos, you would need to create a separate Page and add them as an Editor with limited permissions, or use a third-party tool designed for social media management.
What if I forgot my password and the other account holder won't help me?
You can recover your account using the email address or phone number linked to it. Go to the Facebook login page, click Forgotten Password?, enter your email or phone number, and follow the steps to reset your password. You do not need the other person's help. If you no longer have access to that email or phone number, you can use Facebook's account recovery process, which may take several days.
Should I add another account holder to my personal account or create a Page instead?
If you are running a business, organization, or public presence, create a Page and add people as admins or editors. If you are sharing a personal account with a family member or partner for personal use only, you can share your login, but set up two-factor authentication first and change your password if the relationship ends. Pages are always the safer choice for professional or shared use.