# Transferring ownership

If the departing user connected shared accounts to Missive - team emails (support@, info@), a WhatsApp number, an SMS line, or social media pages - transfer those to another user before removal.

There is no single click to change ownership. The process depends on the account type.

## Email accounts

For shared email accounts like `support@` or `info@`, the new owner can re-connect the account themselves. Repeat the steps below for each shared email account the departing user connected.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Add the account under a new owner**

The new owner adds the same account to their own Missive user and configures it with the same sharing settings. They will see the account listed twice under **Shared accounts**. New copies of emails are imported and merged into existing conversations - no duplication occurs.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Make sure the new owner shares the account with the same team(s) as the original setup. If the account is accidentally shared with a different team, conversations will appear duplicated across both teams.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Set the correct email history import**

The new owner should select the same **Email history import** setting as the original account. If unsure, select **All history**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Contact Missive support**

Email support so the team can monitor the import progress and confirm the transfer.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Wait for confirmation**

Missive support will confirm when it is safe to remove the previous owner's version of the account. Once confirmed, remove the old account - conversations and chat comments are preserved because the new copies remain.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## WhatsApp, SMS, and social accounts

For WhatsApp numbers, SMS lines, and social pages, contact Missive support to transfer the account. If a new owner simply re-connects one of these accounts, the past message history won't come with it - only new messages from the reconnection point forward. The Missive team can transfer the account on the backend so the full message history is preserved.

Email support with:

* The account type (WhatsApp, SMS, Facebook page, Instagram, etc.)
* The phone number or page name
* The Missive email of the new owner

Support will confirm when the transfer is complete and the departing user can be removed.

## Final step

Once all accounts are transferred and support has confirmed, the departing user can be removed from the organization.


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