How to Set Up a System User on Facebook

Is this your situation?

The short answer

Before you start

• Confirm system user access Not all businesses have access to system users.Verify: Check whether System users appears in the Users tab.
• Confirm app ownership A business must own a Facebook app associated with its business portfolio.Verify: Check your portfolio's connected apps.
• Plan access scope A separate system user should be created for each access type.Verify: List the assets this user needs.
• Decide which type to create There are 2 types of system users.Verify: Decide: regular or admin system user.

How Facebook handles this

• System users represent servers or software that make API calls to assets managed by a business portfolio.
• There are 2 types of system users.
• Regular system users can only access the assets they have permission for.
• An admin system user has the most permissions among system users.

Step by step

1. Go to Settings Open Business Suite Settings for your business portfolio.Where: Meta Business Suite → SettingsConfirm: Check that the Settings page has loaded.
2. Select System users Select System users in the Users tab in the left sidebar.Where: Settings → Users → System usersConfirm: Check for the System users list in the sidebar.
3. Add a new system user Click Add new system user to start creating one.Where: System users → Add new system userConfirm: Check the screen for a name field.
4. Name and create Give a name to the system user and click Create system user.Where: Business Settings → System Users → AddConfirm: Check the System users list for the new name.
5. Assign assets Assign assets such as Pages, ad accounts and catalogs to the system user.Where: System users → Assign assetsConfirm: Check the assigned assets list for the ones you selected.
6. Generate a token Click Generate new token to start the token process.Where: System users → Generate new tokenConfirm: Check the screen for the app and permissions selection.
7. Select app and permissions Select your app and your permissions, then click Generate token.Where: Business Settings → System UsersConfirm: Check the screen for the generated token string.
8. Save the token Copy and save your token after generating it.Where: Business Settings → System UsersConfirm: Check that you have stored the token outside the dialog.If this fails: Each new system user requires a new generated token.

Common mistakes

• Losing the token A system user token can only be shared once.Why it happens: You closed the dialog before copying the token down.
• Overusing the admin system user Use of the admin system user should be limited to administrative actions such as assigning permission.Why it happens: The admin system user has the most permissions among system users.
• Mixing access types on one user A separate system user should be created for each type of access needed.Why it happens: You gave one system user broad access instead of separating tasks.
• Not safeguarding the admin token The admin system user token should be carefully safeguarded because it has the most permissions.Why it happens: An admin system user can create system users.Already happened: If you suspect token exposure, audit who has access.

Roles at a glance

Keeping track of who has access