Transferring Discord server ownership is done through the server settings menu, and the current owner must initiate it
To transfer ownership of a Discord server, you open the server settings, find the Members list, locate the person you want to make owner, and select the option to transfer ownership to them. The transfer is immediate once confirmed. The person receiving ownership does not have to accept or approve it — ownership changes the moment you complete the action. You keep your account and remain in the server unless you choose to leave.
Discord does not have a way to transfer a server to someone who is not already a member, so the new owner must have a Discord account and already be in your server before you can transfer it to them.
Key Takeaways
- Only the current server owner can transfer ownership, and the transfer happens instantly without the new owner's consent.
- The person receiving ownership must already be a member of the server — you cannot transfer to someone outside it.
- After transfer, the new owner has full control over the server, including the ability to change settings, remove members, and delete the server.
- You can transfer ownership back to yourself later if the new owner agrees to transfer it back, but you cannot force that transfer.
- Transferring ownership does not delete your account or remove you from the server unless you choose to leave.
Step-by-step process to transfer server 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. Select Server Settings from that menu.
In the Server Settings panel on the left, click Members. Scroll through the member list to find the person you want to make owner. Click on their name to open their member profile. Look for the option that says Transfer Ownership and click it. Discord will ask you to confirm — click Yes, I'm sure or the equivalent confirmation button. The transfer is complete immediately.
The new owner will see a notification that they are now the server owner. They will have access to all server settings and full control over the server from that moment forward.
What the new owner can do after taking control
Once someone becomes the server owner, they have complete control over every aspect of the server. They can change the server name, icon, and description. They can create, edit, or delete channels. They can change permissions for any role or member, remove members from the server, ban people, and create new roles with custom permissions.
The new owner can also delete the entire server if they choose to. There is no way to undo a server deletion, so if you are transferring to someone you do not fully trust, understand that they have the power to destroy the server completely. You cannot regain control unless the new owner transfers it back to you voluntarily.
Why you might transfer ownership and what to consider first
People transfer server ownership for several reasons: they are stepping back from managing the community, they want to hand control to someone more active, they are leaving Discord, or they are moving the server to a new account. Whatever your reason, transferring ownership is permanent unless the new owner agrees to transfer it back.
Before you transfer, make sure the person you are giving ownership to understands the responsibility. They will control everything — who can join, what channels exist, what people can say, and whether the server continues to exist. If you transfer to someone who becomes inactive or hostile, you have no automatic way to take back control. Consider whether you trust this person enough to give them that power.
If you are transferring because you are leaving Discord or moving to a new account, tell the new owner that you are doing so. That way they know you are not coming back and can plan accordingly.
If you want to transfer ownership back later
You can ask the current owner to transfer ownership back to you, but they are under no obligation to do so. If they agree, they follow the same steps: open Server Settings, go to Members, find your name, and click Transfer Ownership. The transfer happens immediately and you become owner again.
If the current owner refuses to transfer it back or is no longer active, you have no way to regain control through Discord's tools. Your only option is to contact Discord Support and explain the situation, though they typically do not intervene in ownership disputes unless there is evidence of account compromise or fraud.
Transferring ownership when you are leaving Discord
If you are closing your Discord account or moving to a new account, transferring the server to someone you trust is the best way to keep the community alive. Make sure the new owner knows you are leaving and will not be coming back. Give them time to adjust settings and add new moderators if needed.
After you transfer ownership, you can delete your account or simply leave the server. Deleting your account does not affect the server — it continues to exist under the new owner's control. If you are just moving to a new account, you can stay in the server as a regular member under your new account while the new owner runs it.
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 the server before you can transfer ownership to them. Invite them to the server first, wait for them to join, and then transfer ownership through the Members list.
Does the new owner have to accept the transfer?
No. Ownership transfers immediately without their consent or approval. They will receive a notification that they are now the owner, but they cannot refuse the transfer. If you transfer to the wrong person by mistake, you cannot undo it — only the new owner can transfer it back to you.
What happens to my account after I transfer ownership?
Your account remains active and you stay in the server as a regular member unless you choose to leave. Transferring ownership does not delete your account or remove you from the server. You can continue to use Discord normally.
Can I transfer ownership to multiple people?
No. A Discord server has only one owner at a time. You can make other people moderators or admins by giving them specific roles and permissions, but only one person can be the owner. If you want shared management, the owner can create admin roles with broad permissions.
What if the new owner deletes the server?
Once a server is deleted, it cannot be recovered. There is no undo button and Discord does not restore deleted servers. If you transfer ownership to someone and they delete the server, it is gone permanently. Only transfer to someone you trust completely.