How to Add an Admin to Instagram

Trying to add an admin to your Instagram account shouldn't feel like you're handing over the keys to your entire digital kingdom. Fortunately, you don't have to share your password to get the help you need. This guide will walk you through the official and secure way to grant admin or manager access to your Instagram profile using Meta's built-in business tools, so you can collaborate with your team without compromising your account's security.

Why You Can't Just "Add an Admin" Directly in the Instagram App

The first thing to understand is that Instagram doesn't have a simple "Add Admin" button within the app itself. This is by design. Unlike a traditional Facebook Page where you can assign roles directly, Instagram handles team management through a more centralized and secure system: the Meta Business Suite.

Why the extra steps? It all comes down to security and integration. Meta wants businesses to manage all their assets (your Facebook Page, Instagram account, ad accounts, pixels) from one central dashboard. This approach prevents the messy and highly insecure practice of sharing login credentials.

Handing over your username and password is a massive risk. It means someone else has access to:

• Your private direct messages (DMs).
• The ability to change your password and lock you out completely.
• The power to delete your entire account without your permission.
• Personal information connected to your account.

Using the Meta Business Suite bypasses all these issues. It lets you grant specific permissions to specific people, allowing them to manage content, reply to comments, or run ads without ever needing to know your password. It's the professional and safe way to grow your team.

The Foundation: Connecting Your Instagram to a Facebook Page

Before you can give anyone access, you must lay the groundwork. The absolute requirement is that your Instagram account must be connected to a Facebook Business Page. Without this connection, Meta's tools can't "see" or manage your Instagram profile. Here is how to get it done.

Step 1: Ensure You Have a Professional Account

Meta Business Suite can only manage professional accounts, so ensure your Instagram account is set to either a Creator or Business profile. If it's still a Personal Account, switching is easy and free. Here's how:

1. Go to your Instagram profile and tap the three lines in the top-right corner.
2. Tap Settings and privacy.
3. Scroll down to Account type and tools.
4. Tap Switch to professional account and follow the on-screen prompts. Choose the "Business" option when prompted.

Step 2: Create or Connect a Facebook Business Page

Your professional Instagram account must be linked to a Facebook Page. If you don't have one, you'll need to create one. During the "Switch to professional account" process, Instagram will prompt you to connect to an existing Facebook Page or create a new one.

Step 3: Link Your Accounts in Meta Business Suite

If your accounts aren't linked yet, you can connect them directly within Meta Business Suite:

1. Log in to your Meta Business Suite or Facebook Business Manager.
2. Navigate to Settings on the left-hand menu.
3. Find Business Assets, then click on Instagram accounts.
4. Click the "Add" button and follow the instructions to log in to your Instagram account, authorizing the connection. Your accounts are now linked.

How to Add an Admin and Assign Permissions

Once your accounts are linked, you can start adding team members and granting them access.

Step 1: Invite People to Your Business

1. In your Meta Business Suite Settings, go to the People tab under the Users section.
2. Click the "Add people" button in the top right corner.
3. Enter the email address of the person you want to invite. It's crucial to use the email address associated with their Facebook account.
4. Choose the access level you want to grant them. Employee access is recommended as a default, as you'll assign specific permissions in the next step. Admin access gives them full control over your entire Business Suite.
5. Click "Next".

Step 2: Assign Access to Your Instagram Account

1. After clicking "Next," a new screen will appear where you can assign access to specific assets. Your assets include your Facebook Page, Instagram account, ad accounts, and more.
2. Select your Instagram Account from the list on the left.
3. On the right, toggle the switches for the permissions you want to grant. You can give them partial access (e.g., only create content and answer DMs) or turn on "Full Control" for that specific Instagram asset.
4. Repeat this process for any other assets, like your Facebook Page or ad account, that you want them to manage.
5. Click "Send Request."

Congratulations! An invitation has been sent to your team member. Once they accept, they will have the access you've specified, without ever needing your personal password.

Best Practices for Page Owners

Full Control vs. Partial Access

When assigning roles, it's wise to follow the principle of least privilege: only grant the permissions necessary for someone to do their job.

• Partial Access (Employee): This is the safest starting point. Give team members specific tasks like creating content, managing community activity, or managing ads. This limits their ability to make major changes to the account itself.
• Full Control (Admin): You, as the owner, should always have Admin Access. Only grant this level of access to trusted partners or top-level managers who truly need complete control over business settings, finances, and personnel.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• "The business cannot verify my account." This often happens when there's a problem with the Instagram-Facebook Page connection. Go back and ensure they are properly linked.
• "I can see the ads but not publish content." This is a permissions issue. Go back into the settings and ensure the "Content" permission toggle is enabled for the Instagram asset.
• "The Instagram Account is already connected to another Meta profile." An Instagram account can only be managed by one Business Suite. You'll need to remove it from the old one before you can add it to the new one.

How to Easily Remove an Admin

When a team member's role changes or they leave the company, removing their access is critical. To do this, simply return to the People section in your Business Suite settings. Click on the person's name, and on the right side of the screen, click "Remove". This will immediately revoke all their permissions and secure your accounts.

Final Thoughts

Adding people to help manage your Instagram is a necessary step for growing your business. Using the Meta Business Suite is the only secure method, allowing you to carefully control who can do what without sharing sensitive login information. By properly setting up roles and permissions, you can collaborate effectively with your team, letting them organize and publish content with an efficient workflow that supports your business goals.