How to Transfer Discord Server Ownership (Complete Guide)

Transferring server ownership is a permanent action that gives another user full control of your Discord server. This guide explains how to do it — and what you should verify first.

What Transferring Ownership Means

When you transfer ownership:

The new owner gains ALL permissions, including deleting the server
You become a regular member (unless you've given yourself roles with permissions)
The transfer cannot be automatically reversed — the new owner must transfer it back manually

Before You Transfer

✅ Verify the person is trustworthy and actively involved in the community ✅ Discuss the transfer with your moderation team ✅ Ensure the new owner understands server rules and moderation responsibilities ✅ Make a backup of important information (channel structure, rules, pinned messages) ✅ Announce the change to your members if appropriate

How to Transfer Ownership (Desktop)

Open Discord and go to your server
Click the server name at the top to open the dropdown menu
Click "Server Settings"
In the left sidebar, click "Members"
Find the member you want to transfer to
Click the three dots (⋯) next to their name
Select "Transfer Ownership"
Read the warning, type your password if prompted, and confirm

How to Transfer Ownership (Mobile)

Open the server and tap the three dots (⋯) next to the server name
Tap "Settings" → "Members"
Tap the member you want to transfer to
Select "Transfer Ownership" and confirm

After the Transfer

Discuss role and moderation plans with the new owner immediately
Make sure they have 2FA enabled (required for sensitive server management)
Keep communication open with the community about leadership changes
Consider keeping an admin role for a transition period if agreed upon

If You Were Tricked or Made a Mistake

If the new owner is misusing the server:

Ask them to return ownership
If they're breaking Discord's rules, report the server at support.discord.com
Discord does not typically intervene in ownership disputes, so prevention is key

Growing After a Leadership Change

A smooth leadership transition can actually energize a community. Publicize it positively, list your server on Discords.ai to attract new members, and set clear expectations for the community going forward.