How to release and claim a Facebook Page

Is this your situation?

The short answer

Before you start

• Confirm you have full Facebook access You need full Facebook access to the Page to request release.Verify: Check your Page access level before requesting release.
• Check for a pending request Admins cannot send another release request while one is pending.Verify: Check Page access for a pending release notice.
• Check for a linked Instagram account A Page linked with Instagram cannot be approved for release.Verify: Check whether your Page has a connected Instagram account.

How Facebook handles this

• The request has a 30-day pending period to be approved or declined before it expires.
• The current Business Manager admin gets an email notification guiding them through the process.
• If the request is denied, the Page is not released and you can request release again.
• A Page linked with an Instagram account cannot be approved by a business admin for release.

Step by step

1. Log into Facebook Start from your main profile.Where: Facebook → profile photo (top right)Confirm: Check that your profile menu opens.
2. Switch into the Page Select the Page you want to release.Where: See all profiles → select PageConfirm: Check that the Page profile is now active.
3. Open the Page's profile photo Click your Page's profile photo in the top right.Where: Facebook (top right) → Page profile photoConfirm: Check that a settings menu appears.
4. Open Settings Click Settings & privacy, then Settings.Where: Page menu → Settings & privacy → SettingsConfirm: Check that the Settings page loads.
5. Open Page access Click Page setup, then Page access.Where: Settings → Page setup → Page accessConfirm: Check that the Page access screen opens.
6. Request release Below Business Account access, tap Request release next to the Page.Where: Page access → Business Account accessConfirm: Check for the Request release option next to the Page.If this fails: Your Page needs a Business Account owner for this option to appear.
7. Send the request Click Send request, then click Done.Where: Request release dialog → Send request → DoneConfirm: Check that the release request shows as sent.
8. Wait for the grace period Once approved, the Page leaves the Business Account after a 72-hour grace period.Where: Page setup → Page accessConfirm: Check that the Page no longer lists the Business Account as owner.

Before you change who is in control

• Trying to release a Page linked to Instagram A Page linked with an Instagram account cannot be approved for release.Why it happens: The link between the Page and Instagram account blocks approval.Already happened: If control has already changed hands — What to Do if Your Page Is Trapped in a Restricted Portfolio
• Sending a second request while one is pending Admins cannot send another release request while one is pending.Why it happens: Only one release request can be open for a Page at a time.
• Expecting an instant transfer Approved releases take a 72-hour grace period before the Page leaves the Business Account.Why it happens: Facebook holds release in a grace period after approval.Already happened: If access seems unresolved, audit who currently has access.
• Assuming the Page owner's identity is the business The Page transparency section may show verified information about the business that owns the Page.Why it happens: People confuse the Page's displayed owner with who currently holds access.

Roles at a glance

Keeping track of who has access