Transferring ownership of a Discord server is a critical action that should be taken seriously. Whether you’re passing control to a trusted moderator, stepping away from the community, or restructuring your leadership, handing over server ownership ensures a stable transition and continued functionality. Discord has a built-in feature that allows server owners to transfer ownership quickly and securely. However, it’s essential to approach this task with care, as the process is irreversible unless the new owner decides to return it.
Why Ownership Transfer Matters
Owning a Discord server is more than just having your name appear on the list. The server owner holds the highest level of control, including the ability to manage roles, settings, integrations, and even delete the server entirely. If you’re stepping away from a server, leaving it without a responsible owner can lead to confusion, inactivity, or even server collapse.
There are several scenarios where transferring ownership may become necessary:
- Stepping down from leadership: If you’re no longer able to manage the community, it’s best to give control to someone trustworthy.
- Changing the structure of the community: Perhaps you’re reorganizing the server’s ownership to create a shared leadership model.
- Transferring to a business or organization: Many communities evolve into formal groups, and an ownership transfer ensures the entity has control.
Requirements Before Transferring Server Ownership
Before you’re able to transfer ownership, there are a few requirements to keep in mind:
- You must be the current server owner. Only the account listed as the server owner can initiate an ownership transfer.
- The recipient must be a member of your server. You can only transfer ownership to someone already in your Discord community.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is recommended. For servers that have 2FA requirement for moderation, ensure both parties have their accounts secure.
Important Note: Once ownership is transferred, you will no longer have top-level controls on the server unless the new owner grants them back to you. This transfer is effectively permanent, so you must be sure of your decision.
Step-by-Step Guide to Transfer Server Ownership
Follow these steps to safely transfer Discord server ownership to another user:
- Open Discord on your desktop or in a browser (ownership transfer is not possible through the mobile app for all users).
- Navigate to your server and click on the server name in the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Click “Server Settings” from the drop-down menu.
- In the left-hand menu, scroll down and click “Members” under the “User Management” section.
- Find the user to whom you want to transfer ownership. You can use the search bar to locate them quickly.
- Click the three vertical dots (•••) to the right of their name.
- From the drop-down menu, select “Transfer Ownership.”
- Discord will prompt you to confirm this action. If your server has Community features enabled, or monetization tools like Server Subscriptions, you may need to complete additional verification steps.
- Click “Transfer Ownership” again to finalize the action.
This process typically takes effect immediately. The designated user will now be displayed as the server owner, and they’ll gain all associated administrative privileges.
Best Practices for a Smooth Ownership Transition
Transferring ownership shouldn’t be taken lightly. Make sure to follow these best practices to ensure minimal disruption to your server community:
- Inform the Server Members: Let your community know about the upcoming change in ownership and why it’s happening. This builds transparency and maintains trust.
- Choose a Responsible Successor: Only transfer ownership to someone you fully trust. Consider their history in the community and their moderation integrity.
- Back Up Important Data: If your server contains resources like bots, integrations, or documentation, back them up or make sure the new owner knows how to manage them.
- Coordinate with Mods and Admins: It’s smart to have a meeting or discussion within your moderation team before making such a significant change.
Taking the time to plan this transition can significantly ease the burden on both you and the new server owner.
What Happens After Transfer?
Once ownership is transferred, you will remain as a regular member or administrator—depending on your roles. You may still help moderate and engage with the community, but significant administrative controls, like deleting the server or adding major integrations, will now fall under the new owner’s responsibilities.
Here are some key changes that will happen post-transfer:
- You lose access to the “Server Ownership” badge.
- The new owner can modify or remove you from roles. Be sure you maintain a strong relationship if you plan to stay involved.
- All business-related tools, payments, and integrations are now under the new owner’s authority. This includes monetization features like Server Subscriptions.
Special Considerations for Community and Monetized Servers
If your Discord server has been upgraded to a Community or Partner server, or if it utilizes monetization features such as Server Subscriptions, there may be added layers of complexity during the transfer process. In such cases, Discord typically requires the new server owner to accept certain terms and conditions.
Here are a few things to consider:
- Community Guidelines: Ensure the new owner understands and agrees to Discord’s Community Server Guidelines to maintain your privileges.
- Account Verification: Discord may require phone or identity verification for the new owner in servers with sensitive features.
- Ongoing Revenue: If you’re earning revenue from server services or subscriptions, finalize all payments and accounting before the transfer.
What If You Can’t Transfer Ownership?
There are specific situations where transferring ownership may not be straightforward. For example:
- Your account is deactivated or compromised: If the server owner’s account is deleted or hacked, members cannot officially transfer ownership without Discord support.
- The intended recipient has left the server: Only present, active members can be selected for ownership.
In these cases, you’ll need to contact Discord Support. Be prepared to verify your identity and potentially provide proof of ownership.
Conclusion
Transferring a Discord server’s ownership is a serious administrative decision that should always be approached with thoughtfulness and planning. From ensuring the new owner is trustworthy, to preparing your community for the change, a strategic transition can preserve the integrity and longevity of your digital community.
Always remember to double-check your decision—the ownership transfer is a permanent step unless re-assigned. Use this guide as a structured approach to ensure your Discord server continues to thrive under new leadership.
