The device that became group owner (GO) during the negotiation phase preceding the connection is a coordinator of the group. It has the special capabilities of P2P and the standard capabilities of an AP. It permits connection of additional P2P devices, as well as the connection of legacy Wi-Fi stations, such as laptops, smartphones, and so forth; if they know the pre-shared security key for connection. Connecting additional P2P devices to the GO is possible by joining the group, not by negotiation, as this device already behaves as the GO and does not change its role during this connection.

Because the GO behaves like an AP and must transmit beacons periodically, it is mostly in the active state, which requires a higher current consumption. However, unlike the limitation of the AP in entering power save mode, the GO can invoke the power-save mode once or periodically, which leads to power saving. Usually, devices that use a battery for operation tend to become a client during P2P connection, for battery-saving considerations.

The lifetime of the GO, and P2P in general, is until one of the peers terminates the connection. When a peer initiates a disconnect, the second peer also stops operation of the P2P device.