To transfer admin rights in Slack, a Workspace Owner can change any member's account type to a Workspace Admin or another Workspace Owner through the workspace settings. This process allows you to elevate a member's permissions, giving them more control over managing the workspace.
Step-by-Step Guide to Transfer Admin Rights
Transferring admin rights involves a few straightforward steps accessible to existing Workspace Owners. Follow these instructions to promote a member to an admin role:
- Access Workspace Settings:
- Open your Slack desktop application or browser.
- Click on your workspace name in the top-left corner.
- From the dropdown menu, select Tools & settings, then click on Manage members. This will open a new browser tab with your workspace's member management page.
- Locate the Member:
- On the "Manage members" page, scroll through the list or use the search bar to find the specific member whose role you wish to change.
- Change Account Type:
- To the right of the member's name, you will see a three dots icon (⋮). Click on this icon.
- From the options that appear, select Change account type.
- A new window will prompt you to choose a new role for the member.
- Promote to Admin Role:
- To promote the member, select either Workspace owner or Workspace admin from the available options.
- Confirm your selection. The member's role will be updated immediately.
Understanding Slack Roles: Owners vs. Admins
Slack offers different roles with varying levels of permissions. Understanding these roles is crucial before transferring admin rights.
Workspace Owner
A Workspace Owner has the highest level of administrative control. They can manage all aspects of the workspace, including:
- Changing all member roles, including other Owners.
- Managing billing and payment.
- Setting up integrations and permissions.
- Exporting workspace data.
- Deleting the workspace.
Workspace Admin
A Workspace Admin has extensive administrative permissions but not full control over billing, ownership transfer, or workspace deletion. Their responsibilities typically include:
- Managing members and inviting new users.
- Setting up channels and user groups.
- Managing apps and integrations.
- Customizing workspace settings.
- Accessing workspace analytics.
Here's a quick comparison of key permissions:
| Feature/Permission | Workspace Owner | Workspace Admin |
|---|---|---|
| Change Member Roles | ✅ | ✅ |
| Manage Billing | ✅ | ❌ |
| Transfer Ownership | ✅ | ❌ |
| Export Data | ✅ | ❌ |
| Delete Workspace | ✅ | ❌ |
| Manage Apps/Integrations | ✅ | ✅ |
| Manage Channels/Groups | ✅ | ✅ |
Important Considerations
- Who can perform this action: Only an existing Workspace Owner can change another member's role to a Workspace Admin or Workspace Owner. Admins cannot promote other members to an owner role.
- Impact of Role Changes: Granting admin or owner rights gives significant control over your workspace. Ensure you trust the individual with these elevated permissions.
- Multiple Owners: It's often recommended to have at least two Workspace Owners for redundancy, ensuring someone can manage the workspace even if one owner is unavailable.
For more detailed information on Slack roles and permissions, refer to the official Slack Help Center.
