Who Owns My Mind Map?

This article applies to all users.

 

All mind maps are owned by the team, not by individual creators. Typically, the team that created the mind map is the owner of all mind maps.

All mind maps are owned by the team to which the user who created them belongs. The map is not owned by the individual creator but by their team.

Even mind maps that are not shared with the team always belong to the team, not to the individual who created them.

Glossary

- Owning Team / Mind Map Owner: The team that owns a mind map. Ownership is always attributed to a team, not an individual.

- Mind Map Creator: The individual who created or duplicated the mind map.

- Mind Map Admin: Typically the creator of the mind map, responsible for managing settings and permissions. (See tip box below).

Is the mind map creator always the mind map admin?

Yes, in most cases. However, there is an exception: If the original creator leaves or is removed from the team, the team admin automatically becomes the new mind map admin.


Why is Mind Map Ownership So Important?

Mind map ownership determines who retains access to the mind map if a team member decides to leave the team or is removed from it. This can affect permissions and mind map accessibility.


What is Mind Map Ownership?

Every mind map in MindMeister has an owner.

In most cases, the mind map owner is the MindMeister team to which the user who created the mind map belongs. Simply put, the mind map is always owned by the team that the mind map admin belongs to.

Please be aware, that mind maps cannot be owned by a single user. Mind maps are always owned by the entire team, even if you are a team of one.

  • Example 1: You are currently working alone and have created three mind maps. You want to invite another user to your team. Once they are added, the mind maps that both you and they created are now owned collectively by your team. The mind maps are not owned by either you or the new user because mind map ownership is never tied to a single team member.
  • Example 2: You are currently working alone and have created three mind maps. Another team invites you to join them. When you join, your mind maps will become owned by the new team. You will still have access to these mind maps and will remain the mind map admin with the same permissions. However, if you leave the team later, you will lose access to these mind maps, and the team’s admin will take over access. 

Where Can I See Who Owns a Mind Map?

To view the ownership of a mind map, open the Share dialog.

The Share dialog will show the team to which the mind map admin belongs, designating this team as the mind map’s owner.

HC Team mind map owner 20241032 (1).png


Can a Mind Map Have More Than One Admin?

No, each mind map can only have one mind map admin.


Can a Mind Map Have More Than One Owner?

No, each mind map can only have one owner.


What Happens to Mind Map Ownership if a Team Member Leaves?

If a creator of a mind map leaves or is removed from the team:

  • The departing user will not retain access. They will lose access to all mind maps.
  • The team admin is automatically assigned as the new mind map admin.
    • If your team has multiple admins, the next available admin (in order of when they joined the team) will be assigned as the new mind map admin.
  • The mind map remains accessible to the entire remaining team.

I Just Left My Team, and All My Mind Maps Are Gone. What Happened?

When you leave a team, you lose access to all mind maps associated with it. Since the team owns the mind maps, the mind maps remain accessible to the team members, with the team admin taking over as the new mind map admin.


Can I Leave My Team with Any of My Mind Maps?

In most cases, you cannot take any mind maps with you when you leave a team. All mind maps created within the team are owned by the team, not individual members. This means that when you leave, you lose access to those mind maps, and they remain available only to current team members.

Exception: If you are the last remaining member of a team and are leaving to join another team, you can take all the mind maps with you.


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