How to Change a Facebook Account to a Page

If your personal Facebook profile has started to feel more like a business hub, making the switch to a dedicated Facebook Page is the right move for growing your brand, reaching a wider audience, and accessing professional tools. This guide covers the current, official method for creating a Page based on your profile and offers the steps you need to get it done right.

Good News & Bad News: The Old "Convert" Tool Is Gone

Let's address the elephant in the room right away. For many years, Facebook offered a direct migration tool that would automatically "convert" a personal profile into a Facebook Page. If you've been reading older tutorials, you've probably seen it mentioned. This tool no longer exists. Facebook retired it, likely because the process created a lot of confusion, as personal content didn't transfer well and people often lost access to their original profiles.

The good news? The modern process is much cleaner and safer. You no longer risk a broken migration or losing your original personal profile. Instead, Facebook now guides you through creating a new Page using your profile's information as a starting point. Your personal account and your new professional Page will coexist as two separate entities, which is exactly what you want for a healthy work-life balance.

Think of it less as a "conversion" and more as an "assisted setup." This guide will walk you through doing it correctly.

First, Understand What Will (and Won't) Transfer

Managing your expectations from the start is important for a smooth transition. When you create a Page from your profile through the current method, it’s not a copy-paste of your entire personal history. Here’s a clear breakdown of what you can expect:

• What can transfer: Some of your information can be brought over to get your Page set up quickly. Your current profile picture and cover photo can be used, saving you some initial design work. You will also get the ability to invite friends from your personal account to follow the new Page - this is the most valuable part of the process.
• What is left behind: This is a big one. Almost all of your existing content stays with your personal profile. Your posts, photos, videos, and entire timeline history will not be moved to the new Page. This works in your favor, keeping your personal memories separate from your professional brand.
• Your friends don't become automatic followers: During the setup, Facebook will prompt you to select friends you'd like to invite to like or follow your new Page. This is an invitation, not an automatic transfer. Some will accept, and some will ignore it. Your personal profile remains untouched with all its friends intact.

The Modern Method: Turning a Profile into a Page (Step-by-Step)

Ready to make the switch? Here is the step-by-step process for creating a professional Facebook Page from your personal account without losing your original profile or your valuable connections.

Part 1: Back Up Your Personal Profile Data

Before you do anything else, download a backup of your personal Facebook profile. Since none of your posts or photos are moving to the new Page, you might want a personal archive of that content. Maybe there are some great testimonials hidden in comments or high-performing images you want to re-upload to your Page later. Creating a backup gives you that inventory.

1. Navigate to Settings & Privacy > Settings.
2. In the left-hand menu, find and click on Your Facebook Information.
3. Look for the option to Download Your Information and click View.
4. You can choose to download all your information or select specific types of data (like only photos and posts). Choose a date range and file format (HTML is usually easier to read).
5. Click Request a Download. This process isn't instant, Facebook will notify you when your file is ready, which can take a few hours or even a day, depending on how much data you have.

Once your download is ready, save it to a secure location on your computer. Now you're ready to create the Page.

Part 2: Using Facebook’s "Create a Page from Your Profile" Workflow

Facebook still has a dedicated tool to guide you through this process. It pulls your profile name and picture to get things started, making the transition seamless for your friends.

1. Start the process by going directly to this URL: https://www.facebook.com/pages/create/migrate. You must be logged into the personal profile you’re building from.
2. Click the big blue "Get Started" button. This kicks off the guided workflow.
3. Choose Your Page Name and Category. First, Facebook will ask you to name your Page. It will default to your profile name, which you can keep or change to your business or brand name. Then, you'll choose up to three categories. Be thoughtful here - categories help people find you. Whether you're a "Digital Creator," "Public Figure," "Coach," or "Local Business," selecting the right category sets the right foundation.
4. Add Your Details. Next, you'll fill in the important stuff: a short bio, contact info (email, phone number), location (if you're a physical business), and your website. Fill out as much as you can. A complete profile appears more professional and trustworthy.
5. Invite Your Friends. Here's the most powerful step. Facebook will show you a list of your personal friends and let you select who you want to invite to follow your new Page. You can "Select All" with one click or go through the list individually. Don't skip this! This is how you leverage your existing network to give your new Page its initial momentum. Once you send the invites, they will appear as notifications for your friends to accept.

After you complete these steps, your new Page will be live! But you’re not quite done yet.

Part 3: Post-Creation Optimization Checklist

An empty Page isn't very inviting. Once your Page is created, spend 30 minutes optimizing it to make a strong first impression for your new followers.

• Claim Your Username: Immediately go into your Page settings and create a unique username (e.g., @YourBrandName). This gives you a clean vanity URL (facebook.com/YourBrandName) that's easy to share.
• Complete Your "About" Section: Go beyond the basics you added during setup. Add your story, your mission, list of services, or any other information that tells visitors who you are and what you do.
• Upload High-Quality Visuals: If you didn't keep them from the automated setup, upload a crisp logo or headshot as your profile picture and a compelling cover photo that represents your brand.
• Publish Your First Post: Before your page gets any traffic, add a few posts to create a base of content. At a minimum, create a "Welcome" post. Announce the move from your personal profile and tell people what kind of content they can expect to see. Use an engaging image or short video, and then pin this post to the top of your Page's feed.
• Populate with Key Content: Dig into that backup you downloaded! Find a handful of your best photos, videos, or posts from your personal profile that are relevant to your brand and upload them to your new Page. This makes the Page look established from day one.

You've Got a New Page...Now What? Building Momentum

Changing your profile to a Page is just the beginning. The real challenge - and fun - is building and growing it into an active community. Here’s what to focus on next.

Make a Formal Announcement on Your Old Profile

Not everyone will see or accept your initial invitation. The best way to capture the stragglers is to make a public post on your personal profile announcing the new Page. Explain why you created it and tell your friends exactly what value they'll get from following it. Add a direct link to the new Page and kindly ask them to give it a follow. This single post can drive a significant wave of initial followers.

Example: "Hey everyone, some exciting news! To keep my personal profile for friends and family, I've created a new Facebook Page dedicated to all my marketing tips and projects. If you enjoy that content, please give it a follow! You won't see those updates here anymore → [Link to Your Page]"

Develop a Content Strategy for Your Page

A Facebook Page operates differently than a personal profile. People follow Pages for a reason: for expertise, for entertainment, or for valuable information. Your content needs to consistently deliver on that promise.

Think about establishing clear content pillars - 2-4 core topics you'll always talk about. For a business coach, pillars might be Leadership, Productivity, and Client Success Stories. This structure keeps your content focused and gives your audience a reason to stick around. Mix up your formats, too! Experiment with short-form video (Reels), photos, links to blog posts, and text-based discussion prompts to see what resonates.

Engage with Your New Community

The biggest advantage of a Page is the ability to build a genuine community. Don't just post and walk away. When people leave comments, respond back. Ask questions and encourage discussions. Use the polling and Q&A features in Facebook Stories to interact with your audience. The more you engage with your followers, the more Facebook's algorithm will show your content to new people, helping you grow organically.

Final Thoughts

Moving from a Facebook profile to a Page is a definitive step in professionalizing your brand on the platform. It's a manual process that requires setting up a new space and inviting your audience over, but it properly separates your personal life from your professional presence and unlocks powerful tools for growth.

Now that your Page is live, the key going forward is staying consistent. I struggled for years jumping between platforms to post content, especially with Reels and other short-form videos. That's why we built Postbase, it gives me a clear visual calendar where I can plan everything in one place. Best of all, it's designed specifically for today's video-first world, so it handles all the formats without those frustrating upload errors or glitches.