Adding an admin takes three steps in Facebook's group settings

To add an admin to your Facebook group, go to your group page, click the three dots in the top right, select Edit Group Settings, then scroll to Admins and Moderators. Click Add Admin, search for the person's name, and click their profile. Facebook will send them a notification that they've been made an admin — they don't have to accept or confirm.

An admin has the same powers you do: they can delete posts and comments, remove members, change group settings, and add or remove other admins and moderators. If you're running a large group or one that gets a lot of posts, adding admins means the group can stay moderated even when you're not online. You can add as many admins as you want, and you can remove someone from admin status the same way you added them.

Key Takeaways

  • Admins are added through Edit Group Settings > Admins and Moderators, and they get full control over posts, members, and group rules.
  • The person you add becomes an admin when ready without having to accept — they'll see the change the next time they visit the group.
  • Moderators are different from admins and have fewer powers; they can delete posts and comments but cannot change group settings or add other admins.
  • You can remove an admin at any time by going back to the same menu and clicking the X next to their name.

The difference between admins and moderators

Facebook groups have two levels of helpers: admins and moderators. Admins can do everything you can do — change the group description, set rules, approve members, delete posts, and add or remove other admins and moderators. Moderators can delete posts and comments and remove members, but they cannot change group settings or add other people to any role.

For a small group where you're the only one managing things, you probably don't need either. For a group with hundreds of members or one that gets dozens of posts a day, adding at least one moderator keeps spam and rule-breaking posts from piling up. Add an admin if you want someone to help you make decisions about the group's direction or rules, or if you need someone who can manage the group when you're away for a long time.

What admins can and cannot do

An admin can delete any post or comment in the group, remove any member, change the group name and description, edit the group rules, approve or deny membership requests, pin posts to the top, and add or remove other admins and moderators. They can also see which members have been removed and which posts have been deleted.

An admin cannot see private messages between group members, and they cannot see who has viewed the group but not joined. They also cannot see the email addresses or phone numbers of group members — only the names and profiles that are visible to the group. If your group has a pinned post with contact information or a link, admins can see that, but they cannot access member data beyond what's public in the group itself.

Choosing the right person to be an admin

Pick someone who is already active in the group and who follows the rules you've set. They should be online regularly enough to notice problems — spam, harassment, or posts that break the group's guidelines. If the group is about a specific topic, an admin should understand that topic well enough to recognize when a post is off-topic or misleading.

It's also worth thinking about whether the person will want the job. Being an admin means getting notifications about reports, membership requests, and rule violations. Some people enjoy that responsibility; others find it annoying. You can always ask someone if they'd be willing to help before you add them, or you can add them and explain what you're asking them to do in a private message right after.

Removing an admin if things change

If an admin is no longer active in the group, or if they're not handling the role the way you want, you can remove them. Go back to Edit Group Settings > Admins and Moderators, find their name, and click the X next to it. They'll lose all admin powers when ready, though they'll still be a member of the group unless you remove them separately.

Removing someone from admin status does not send them a notification — they'll only realize it when they try to do something that requires admin powers and find they can't. If you want to explain why you removed them, send them a private message. If the person was causing problems, you can remove them from the group entirely by clicking their name and selecting Remove from Group.

Managing multiple admins

If you have more than one admin, they can see each other in the admin list and they can remove each other from admin status. This means you should only add people you trust completely — an admin can lock you out of your own group by removing you as an admin. Facebook does not have a way to prevent one admin from removing another, so choose carefully.

If you have a large group with many admins, it helps to have a conversation with them about who handles what. One admin might focus on approving new members, another on deleting spam, and another on enforcing the group rules. You can also create a separate private group for admins to discuss moderation decisions and problems they've noticed.

What happens when you add someone who's not your friend

You can add an admin even if you're not friends with them on Facebook — you just need to search for their name or profile. They'll get a notification that they've been made an admin, and they'll see the group appear in their list of groups. If the group is private, they'll have access to all the posts and members when ready. If it's a closed group, they'll be able to see the group but not the posts until they join.

If you add someone by mistake, you can remove them right away using the same menu. There's no waiting period or confirmation step — the change takes effect when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add an admin to a group I don't own?

No. Only the group owner can add or remove admins. If you're a moderator or regular member, you cannot add other people to any role. If you think the group needs more admins, you can message the owner and suggest someone.

Will the person I add as admin know right away?

They'll get a notification, but they might not see it when ready if they're not actively using Facebook. They'll definitely know the next time they visit the group, because they'll see the admin badge next to their name and they'll have access to the admin tools.

Can I add someone as an admin if they haven't joined the group yet?

No. The person must already be a member of the group before you can make them an admin. If they haven't joined, you can invite them to the group first, and once they accept, you can add them as an admin.

What if an admin is being unfair or abusing their power?

As the group owner, you can remove them when ready. If you're a member and an admin is behaving badly, you can report the group to Facebook using the three dots menu on the group page, or you can leave the group and find a different one.

Can I make someone an admin without them knowing?

Technically yes — they won't get a separate confirmation request — but they'll see the admin tools the next time they open the group, so they'll figure it out quickly. It's better to tell them first so they understand what you're asking them to do.