Ethan Brooks
How To Transfer Server Ownership on Discord in 2025
If you’ve ever wondered how to hand over your Discord server to someone else, it’s kind of weird, but there’s actually a pretty straightforward process. Just make sure you’ve got the right permissions, because transferring ownership isn’t as simple as changing roles. You need to be the current owner, obviously, or at least have the privileges to do that. Sometimes, trying to transfer ownership can be a bit confusing, especially if you’re not familiar with the menus or if Discord has changed their layout. Here’s what worked for me, and maybe it’ll help you avoid some headaches.
Step 1: Access Server Settings
Launch Discord and click on the server icon you want to transfer. Then, head to Server Settings, which is found by clicking on the server name at the top left corner and choosing Server Settings. On some setups, you might have to click on the down arrow next to the server name first. If it’s not immediately obvious, remember that Settings can sometimes hide in nested menus. Also, note that to transfer ownership, you need to be the owner or have the “Manage Server” permission, so make sure that’s in your back pocket.
Step 2: Navigate to Members Management
Once you’re in Server Settings, look for the Members tab, usually on the left side or under “User Management.” It lists all members with their roles and permissions. Sometimes, this panel isn’t obvious unless you’ve set the sidebar to show all options, so don’t panic if it’s not front and center. You can also get there by clicking directly on the members list in the right panel of your server window if you have that enabled. Why do this? Because you need to find the person you want to make the new owner, and on some servers, permissions or roles for that person might be crucial to check beforehand.
Step 3: Select the New Owner
Scroll through the list and find the member you trust to run the show. Make sure they’re online or active — transferring ownership while they’re offline can sometimes lead to confusion or delays. In my experience, double-checking that you picked the right person avoids accidental transfers. Remember, they will get full control over everything, so pick wisely.
Step 4: Initiate Ownership Transfer
Next to their username, click the three dots (⋮) or the “More” icon. A menu will appear — click on Transfer Ownership. If that option isn’t there, it probably means you’re not the owner or don’t have the right permission. On some Discord versions, this option takes a quick second to pop up, so be patient. This is actually what helps make the switch official. Just beware: on some servers, the icon might be hidden or look different, because of custom UI mods or Discord updates.
Step 5: Confirm the Transfer
You’ll get a pop-up asking for confirmation. It’s a good idea to double-check everything here. Usually, there’s a checkbox that says something like *”I understand that I will no longer be the owner”* or similar. Check that thing, then hit Confirm. Done! The person you selected should now have the master key. Be aware, sometimes you need to re-log or refresh the page for changes to take effect. Weird thing is, in some cases, it takes a minute or two or even a server restart for the rights to update fully. Not sure why it works like that, but Discord can be glitchy sometimes.
Step 6: Understand Role Changes
After the transfer, your user role might change — especially if you don’t have admin permissions, or they don’t automatically get assigned. It’s kind of weird, but make sure to talk it out with the new owner. They might need to manually assign roles or permissions for the server to function smoothly. On one setup it worked immediately; on another, it took a bit of fiddling. So, don’t assume everything is crystal clear right away.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Before jumping into the transfer, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Trust level: Be sure the person can be trusted — full control means complete power over your community, after all.
- Backup your settings: Take screenshots or notes of your server settings, roles, and channel permissions. Because of course, Discord has to make it harder than necessary to keep track of things after a transfer.
- Tell your community: Giving a heads-up about the change keeps them from freaking out or thinking the server’s been hacked.
- Common mistakes: Don’t rush — making sure everyone understands their new responsibilities prevents chaos afterward.
Conclusion
Transferring server ownership isn’t as complicated as it looks — once you get the hang of where all the menus hide. Making sure the right person gets control at the right time keeps your community running smoothly. It’s all about double-checking permissions, confirming choices, and communicating a bit with your new boss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer ownership back to myself?
Sure, if the new owner agrees to do it again, you can get the keys back — no big deal.
What if the new owner doesn’t want the server?
They can pass it on to someone else, or just give it back to you if needed. Always keep the lines open and be clear about what’s happening.
Is there a limit to how many times ownership can be transferred?
Nope, as long as each step is done properly, you can keep doing it as much as needed. Just don’t forget to verify each transfer because, again, Discord isn’t always perfectly intuitive.
Summary
- Make sure you’re the owner or have Manage Server permission
- Go to Server Settings > Members
- Find your trusted person, then click the three dots next to their name
- Select Transfer Ownership
- Confirm and wait a sec for changes to kick in
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Just remember, patience is key — Discord can be a little quirky sometimes.