You can transfer a Discord server to another person in about two minutes using the server settings menu
Discord server ownership transfers through a single setting in your server menu. You navigate to Server Settings, find the Transfer Ownership option, select the new owner from your member list, and confirm. The person you transfer to must already be a member of the server. Once you confirm, they become the owner and you drop to the highest available role below owner — usually Administrator if that role exists in your server.
The transfer is immediate and irreversible without the new owner's consent. You cannot undo it yourself once it completes. This matters because transferring ownership is often the step before leaving a server entirely, and you need to be certain about who you're handing control to.
Key Takeaways
- The new owner must already be a member of your server before you can transfer ownership to them.
- You access the transfer option through Server Settings, then Moderation, then Transfer Ownership — it takes about two minutes total.
- Once you transfer ownership, you cannot reverse it yourself; only the new owner can transfer it back to you.
- After the transfer completes, you become a regular member or take on the highest available role below owner, depending on your server's role structure.
Step-by-step process for transferring ownership
Open Discord and navigate to the server you want to transfer. Click the server name at the top left to open the dropdown menu, then select Server Settings. This opens a panel on the left side with various options.
In the left panel, scroll down and click Moderation. This section contains server-wide administrative settings. Look for the Transfer Ownership option — it appears near the bottom of the Moderation menu. Click it to open a dialog box showing all current members of your server.
Select the member you want to make the new owner from the list. A confirmation dialog will appear asking you to confirm the transfer. Read it carefully because this action cannot be undone by you alone. Click Confirm to complete the transfer. The new owner is now the server owner, and you are no longer in the owner role.
Who can receive server ownership
The person receiving ownership must be an active member of your Discord server. They cannot be someone you invite specifically to receive ownership — they need to have joined the server beforehand through a normal invite link or direct addition. Discord does not allow you to transfer ownership to someone outside the server.
There are no other restrictions based on account age, verification status, or role. A brand-new member with no roles can receive ownership. A bot account cannot receive ownership; the new owner must be a human user account. If you try to transfer to a bot, Discord will not show it as an option in the member list.
What happens to your permissions after transfer
You lose the owner role immediately upon transfer completion. Discord automatically assigns you to the next highest role in your server's hierarchy. If your server has an Administrator role, you typically become an Administrator. If your server has no roles below owner, you become a regular member with no special permissions.
You can ask the new owner to re-assign you to a role if you want to keep administrative access. They have full control over all roles and permissions now, so they can promote you back, demote you, or remove you from the server entirely. Your ability to manage the server depends entirely on what the new owner decides to grant you.
Reasons to transfer ownership before leaving a server
If you plan to leave a server you created or currently own, transferring ownership first prevents the server from becoming ownerless. A server without an owner cannot function properly — no one can manage roles, channels, or settings. Members cannot be moderated, and the server essentially becomes frozen.
Transferring ownership also ensures continuity if you're stepping back from active management. The person you choose can maintain the community, enforce rules, and make decisions about the server's direction. Without a transfer, the server may fall into disrepair or be abandoned if you stop logging in.
What to do if you cannot find the Transfer Ownership option
The Transfer Ownership option only appears if you are the current server owner. If you do not see it in the Moderation menu, you are not the owner of this server. Check with whoever created it or currently owns it to confirm your role.
If you are the owner but still cannot locate the option, try logging out and back in, or close and reopen Discord. Occasionally the interface fails to load all menu options until you refresh. If the problem persists after refreshing, try accessing Discord through a web browser instead of the desktop app to see if the option appears there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer ownership to someone who is not in the server yet?
No. The person must already be a member of your server. You can send them an invite link to join first, wait for them to accept, and then transfer ownership. Discord does not allow direct transfers to non-members.
What if I transfer ownership by mistake?
You cannot undo the transfer yourself. You would need to contact the new owner and ask them to transfer ownership back to you. They have no obligation to do so. This is why Discord asks for confirmation before completing the transfer.
Does the new owner get notified when I transfer ownership?
Yes. Discord sends the new owner a notification that they are now the server owner. They will see this in their notifications and in the server settings. The transfer is immediate and visible to all members.
Can I transfer ownership to a bot?
No. Only human user accounts can own Discord servers. Bots cannot receive ownership. You can give a bot high-level permissions through roles, but it cannot be the server owner.
What happens to the server if I leave after transferring ownership?
The server continues to function normally under the new owner. Your departure has no effect on the server's operation. The new owner has full control and can manage all settings, roles, and members as they choose.