How to hand over a Discord server to someone else
To transfer ownership of a Discord server, you go to Server Settings, find the Members tab, locate the person you want to make owner, click the three dots next to their name, and select "Transfer Server." Discord will ask you to confirm by typing the server name. The new owner takes full control immediately, and you drop to whatever role you had before — or no role at all if you had none.
The person receiving the server must already be a member. You cannot transfer to someone outside the server, and they do not need to accept anything — the transfer completes when you confirm it. Once it is done, the new owner can change permissions, remove you, delete channels, or do anything else an owner can do. There is no undo button, so make sure you trust the person before you hand it over.
Key Takeaways
- The transfer happens in Server Settings under the Members tab by clicking the three dots next to a member's name and selecting "Transfer Server."
- You must type the server name to confirm the transfer, and it takes effect immediately with no way to reverse it.
- The new owner must already be a member of the server, and they automatically gain full control once the transfer completes.
- After the transfer, you lose owner status and keep only the roles you had before, or no role if you had none.
- The new owner can remove you from the server, so only transfer to someone you trust completely.
Step-by-step transfer process
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 list to find the person you want to make the new owner.
Click the three dots (•••) next to their name. A menu will appear with several options. Select "Transfer Server." Discord will show a confirmation dialog asking you to type the exact name of the server. Type it correctly and click the button to confirm. The transfer completes immediately, and the new owner now has full control.
What happens to your account after the transfer
Once the transfer is complete, you are no longer the owner. If you had other roles in the server — like Moderator or Admin — you keep those roles and their permissions. If you had no roles besides owner, you become a regular member with no special permissions.
The new owner can change your role, remove you from the server, or demote you at any time. They can also delete the server entirely, change its name, invite or ban anyone, and modify every setting. You have no way to undo the transfer or reclaim ownership, so only transfer to someone you are certain about.
Preparing before you transfer
Before you hand over the server, decide what role you want to have afterward. If you want to stay as a moderator or regular member, ask the new owner to set that up, or set it up yourself before the transfer. You can create a role, assign yourself to it, and give it the permissions you want to keep.
Back up anything important. Take screenshots of channel lists, pinned messages, or server settings you might need later. The new owner could delete channels or change settings, and you will have no authority to restore them. If the server has bots or integrations you set up, let the new owner know how they work so they can maintain them.
If the new owner is inactive or unresponsive
If the person you transferred the server to stops logging in or ignores your messages, you cannot take the server back. Discord does not have a process to reclaim ownership from an inactive owner. Your only option is to contact Discord Support and explain the situation, though they rarely intervene in ownership disputes unless the account has been compromised.
To avoid this, transfer only to someone you can reach through other means — a friend, family member, or colleague you have contact with outside Discord. If you are transferring to a stranger or someone you rarely talk to, get their agreement in writing first and make sure you have a way to contact them if problems arise.
Transferring to a bot or service account
You can transfer server ownership to a bot account if that bot is a member of your server. However, most bots are designed to follow commands, not to own servers. If you make a bot the owner, it will have owner permissions, but it will not use them unless its code tells it to.
Some people transfer to a bot account as a way to "lock" a server — the bot will not change anything unless someone with access to the bot's code tells it to. This can work if you trust the person who controls the bot, but it is not a standard practice and can cause confusion for other members. A human owner is almost always clearer and easier to manage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a server to someone who is not in it yet?
No. The person must already be a member of the server. Invite them first, wait for them to join, and then transfer ownership through the Members tab.
What if I transfer the server by mistake?
Discord does not have an undo feature for server transfers. You will need to contact the new owner and ask them to transfer it back to you. If they refuse or are unreachable, you cannot reclaim it.
Do I need the new owner's permission before I transfer?
Technically no — the transfer happens when you confirm it, and the new owner does not have to accept anything. In practice, you should ask them first so they know they are about to become responsible for the server.
Can I be owner of a server and also a member of another server the same person owns?
Yes. One person can own multiple servers, and you can be a member of any of them. Transferring ownership of one server does not affect your membership in others.
What permissions does the new owner have?
The new owner has every permission available in the server. They can delete channels, remove members, change the server name, modify roles, and do anything else an owner can do. There are no limits on owner permissions.