Discord server ownership transfers through the server settings menu, and the current owner must initiate the change

To transfer ownership of a Discord server, the current owner opens the server, clicks the dropdown arrow next to the server name, selects "Server Settings," then chooses "Members." From there, they find the member they want to make owner, click the three dots next to that member's name, and select "Transfer Ownership." Discord will ask for confirmation, and once confirmed, the new owner receives full control of the server.

The person receiving ownership must already be a member of the server. They do not need to accept the transfer — it takes effect when ready once the current owner confirms. The previous owner becomes a regular member with no special permissions unless the new owner grants them a role.

Key Takeaways

  • Only the current server owner can transfer ownership; no one else has access to this option.
  • The new owner must already be a member of the server before the transfer can happen.
  • The transfer takes effect right away once the owner confirms it in the dialog box.
  • The previous owner loses all administrative permissions and becomes a regular member unless the new owner assigns them a role.
  • Discord does not send a notification to the new owner that they have received ownership — they will see it when they next open the server settings.

Step-by-step process for transferring ownership

Open Discord and navigate to the server you want to transfer. Click the dropdown arrow next to the server name at the top left of the screen. A menu will appear with several options.

Select "Server Settings" from that menu. You will enter the server settings page. On the left side, you will see a list of categories. Click on "Members" to see all members of the server.

Scroll through the member list to find the person you want to make owner. Next to their name, you will see three dots (the more options menu). Click those three dots. A small menu will pop up with several choices, including "Transfer Ownership." Click that option.

Discord will show a confirmation dialog asking if you are sure you want to transfer ownership to that member. Read the message carefully — it will tell you that you will lose owner permissions and become a regular member. Click the button to confirm the transfer. Ownership changes when ready.

What happens to the previous owner after transfer

Once ownership transfers, the previous owner no longer has access to server settings, moderation tools, or any administrative features. They become a regular member with the same permissions as anyone else in the server.

The new owner can give the previous owner a role if they want to restore some permissions. For example, the new owner could create or assign a "Moderator" role that lets the previous owner manage messages or members. This is optional — the new owner has complete control over who gets what permissions.

The previous owner's message history, profile, and account remain unchanged. They can still see all messages and channels they could see before, but they cannot change server settings or make administrative decisions.

Requirements and limitations for transferring ownership

The person receiving ownership must have a Discord account and must already be a member of the server. You cannot transfer ownership to someone who has not joined yet. If the person you want to make owner is not in the server, invite them first, wait for them to join, and then transfer ownership.

You can only transfer ownership if you are the current owner. Moderators, administrators, or members with high-level roles cannot transfer ownership — only the owner can do this. There is no way to transfer ownership through the mobile app; you must use the desktop or web version of Discord.

Discord does not limit how many times you can transfer ownership. You can transfer it back to the previous owner later if you change your mind, or transfer it to someone else entirely. Each transfer takes effect when ready with no waiting period.

Transferring ownership when the current owner is inactive

If the current owner is no longer active and you need to take control of the server, Discord does not have a built-in process to remove an inactive owner. The owner must log in and transfer ownership themselves, or the server will remain under their name.

If the owner's account has been deleted or permanently suspended, Discord support may be able to help, but this is not may provide. You can contact Discord support through their website and explain the situation. Provide the server ID and details about why the owner is no longer able to manage the server. Discord will review the request, but there is no timeline for a response.

In the meantime, you can ask Discord to promote you to a high-level administrative role so you can manage the server's day-to-day operations, even though you will not be the official owner. The owner's name will still appear in the server settings, but you will have most of the permissions you need to run the server.

Transferring ownership to protect your account

Some server owners transfer ownership as a security measure. If you think your Discord account has been compromised or you are concerned about unauthorized access, transferring ownership to a trusted person ensures the server stays under someone's control even if your account is locked or taken over.

Before you transfer, make sure the person you are transferring to is someone you trust completely. They will have full control over the server, including the ability to delete it, change all settings, remove members, and access any private channels. Once ownership transfers, you cannot undo it unless the new owner transfers it back to you.

If your account is already compromised, change your password and enable two-factor authentication before transferring ownership. This protects your account from further unauthorized changes. After the transfer is complete, review your account security settings and check for any suspicious activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer ownership to multiple people at once?

No. Discord servers have only one owner at a time. You can transfer ownership to one person, and then that person can assign administrative roles to others if they want to share management responsibilities. But only one person can hold the owner title.

What if I transfer ownership by mistake?

Ask the new owner to transfer ownership back to you. They can do this through the same process — Server Settings, Members, three dots next to your name, Transfer Ownership. There is no undo button, so the new owner must manually reverse the transfer.

Does the new owner see all the server's history and settings?

Yes. The new owner has access to all channels, messages, settings, roles, and permissions that existed before the transfer. They can see the complete server history and can change anything they want.

Can I transfer ownership on mobile?

No. The transfer ownership option is only available on the desktop or web version of Discord. Open Discord in a browser or use the desktop app to transfer ownership. The mobile app does not have this feature.

What if the new owner is offline when I transfer ownership?

The transfer happens when ready regardless of whether the new owner is online. They do not need to be active or accept anything. The next time they log in and check the server settings, they will see that they are now the owner.