Discord ownership transfers through the server settings menu

To transfer ownership of a Discord server, you go to the server settings, find the Members tab, locate the person you want to make owner, and click the three-dot menu next to their name to select "Transfer Server". The person you transfer to must already be a member of the server. After you confirm the transfer, they become the owner and you drop to the highest role below owner — usually Administrator if that role exists.

The transfer is when ready and irreversible from your end. Once you hand over ownership, you cannot take it back without the new owner transferring it back to you. The new owner has full control: they can change the server name, delete channels, remove members, and transfer ownership again to someone else.

Discord does not send a notification to the new owner that they have received ownership. They will see the change when they next open the server or refresh it, but they won't get a separate alert. If you are transferring to someone who is not actively in the server at that moment, tell them directly so they know to check.

Key Takeaways

  • The person receiving ownership must already be a member of the server before you can transfer it to them.
  • Ownership transfers when ready and cannot be undone by you — the new owner must transfer it back if you want it again.
  • The new owner receives no notification from Discord, so inform them directly that the transfer is complete.
  • You automatically drop to the next-highest role after transfer, usually Administrator, and keep all other permissions you had.
  • The new owner can change anything about the server, including its name, channels, roles, and who has access.

Step-by-step process for transferring ownership

Open Discord and go to the server you want to transfer. Click the server name at the top left to open the dropdown menu, then select "Server Settings". On the left sidebar, click "Members".

Scroll through the member list to find the person you want to make owner. Click the three-dot menu (⋮) next to their name. A menu will appear with options including "Transfer Server". Click that option.

Discord will ask you to confirm. It will show you the name of the person who will become the new owner. Click "Yes, transfer it" or the equivalent confirmation button. The transfer completes when ready.

Requirements the new owner must meet

The person you transfer to must be a current member of the server. They cannot be banned, and they cannot have left the server. If someone left and you want to make them owner, you must invite them back first, wait for them to accept and join, and then transfer ownership.

Discord does not require the new owner to have a certain role or permission level before the transfer. Even a member with no special roles can receive ownership. However, it is common practice to give someone Administrator or a high-level role before transferring, so they are already familiar with the server's permission structure.

What happens to your account and permissions after transfer

You remain a member of the server after transferring ownership. You do not get removed or demoted to a lower tier automatically. Instead, you keep whatever role you had before, unless you were only owner and had no other role — in that case, Discord assigns you the highest role below owner.

If you were an Administrator before the transfer, you stay an Administrator. If you had a custom role, you keep it. The only change is that you are no longer the owner. You can still manage channels, ban members, and perform other moderation tasks if your role allows it — the new owner does not strip your permissions unless they choose to.

If you want to remove yourself from the server entirely after the transfer, you can leave at any time. Go to the server name dropdown, select "Leave Server", and confirm. You will be removed and can only rejoin if someone invites you back.

Transferring ownership when the new owner is offline

You can transfer ownership even if the person is not currently online or active in Discord. The transfer goes through when ready regardless of their status. However, they will not see the change until they open Discord or refresh the app.

If the person does not check Discord for hours or days, they may not realize they are now the owner. Send them a direct message or contact them outside Discord to let them know. This is especially important if they are not expecting the transfer, because they might accidentally make changes to the server without realizing they have full control.

Reversing a transfer or getting ownership back

Once you transfer ownership, you cannot undo it yourself. The new owner must transfer it back to you if you want to regain control. There is no "undo" button or time window — the transfer is permanent until the new owner acts.

If the new owner is unresponsive or has left Discord, you cannot recover ownership through Discord's support. Discord does not intervene in ownership disputes or restore ownership based on who created the server. Your only option is to contact the new owner directly and ask them to transfer it back.

If you are concerned about losing control of a server, transfer ownership only to someone you trust completely. Consider keeping a co-owner or Administrator account that you also control, so you have a way to manage the server even if the primary owner becomes unavailable.

Common reasons to transfer ownership

Servers are often transferred when the original creator steps back from managing it. A community might grow large enough that the founder wants to hand off day-to-day moderation to someone more active. Transferring ownership makes it clear who is in charge and prevents confusion about who can make final decisions.

Ownership also transfers when a server is part of a team or organization and leadership changes. If a project manager or team lead leaves, the server ownership moves to their replacement. This ensures the new leader has the authority to make changes without asking the old owner for permission.

Some servers transfer ownership as a security measure. If the original owner's account is compromised or they lose access to their email, transferring to a trusted backup account protects the server from being taken over by someone who gained access to the old account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer ownership to someone who is not in the server yet?

No. The person must be a member of the server before you can transfer ownership to them. Invite them to the server first, wait for them to accept and join, and then transfer. You cannot transfer to someone who has not joined.

Will the new owner get a notification that they are now the owner?

Discord does not send a notification. The new owner will see the change in their server list or when they open the server, but they will not receive an alert. Tell them directly so they know the transfer is complete and they have full control.

What if I transfer ownership by mistake?

You cannot undo the transfer yourself. Contact the person you transferred to and ask them to transfer ownership back to you. They must go through the same process in reverse. If they refuse or are unavailable, you cannot recover ownership.

Do I lose my role and permissions after transferring ownership?

No. You keep your existing role and permissions. If you had no role before the transfer, Discord assigns you the highest role below owner. You remain a member of the server unless you choose to leave.

Can the new owner change the server name, delete channels, or remove me?

Yes. The new owner has full control of the server. They can change the name, delete or create channels, change roles, remove members, and make any other changes they want. Ownership means complete authority over the server.