You may need to transfer ownership of a Discord server if you are stepping down as admin, leaving a community, or handing control to another member. By default, the server creator is the permanent owner, and only the current owner can transfer the role. This article explains the exact steps to transfer ownership, the requirements for the new owner, and what changes after the transfer.
Transferring ownership gives the new owner full administrative control, including the ability to delete the server, manage all settings, and appoint new owners. The process takes less than a minute once you meet the prerequisites. Follow the instructions below to complete the transfer safely.
Note that ownership cannot be transferred if the recipient has not enabled two-factor authentication when the server requires it. You also cannot transfer ownership if you are the only member with administrative permissions, unless you first grant those permissions to the recipient.
Key Takeaways: Discord Server Ownership Transfer
- Server Settings > Members > Find Recipient > Transfer Ownership: The only way to transfer ownership — no other menu or command works.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Requirement: The recipient must have 2FA enabled if the server has the “Require 2FA for administrative actions” setting turned on.
- New Owner Gains Full Control: After transfer, the previous owner becomes a regular member unless the new owner manually reassigns roles.
What Does Transferring Ownership Do?
Discord server ownership is a special role that only one person can hold at a time. The owner has every permission automatically, including the ability to delete the server, change the server name and icon, manage all channels and roles, and ban or kick members. When you transfer ownership, the new owner receives all these abilities immediately.
The previous owner loses all administrative power unless the new owner manually assigns them an admin role. The previous owner also cannot reclaim ownership unless the new owner transfers it back. This is a permanent action with no undo button, so you must be certain before proceeding.
The transfer does not affect server boosts, integrations, or bot settings. All existing configurations remain intact. Only the ownership flag moves to the new person.
Prerequisites for Transferring Ownership
Before you can transfer ownership, both you and the recipient must meet these conditions:
- You must be the current owner. Only the owner can start the transfer.
- The recipient must be a member of the server. You cannot transfer ownership to someone who has not joined the server.
- If the server requires 2FA for admin actions, the recipient must have 2FA enabled on their Discord account. You can check this setting in Server Settings > Moderation > Require 2FA.
- The recipient must not be banned or timed out. Ownership cannot be transferred to a member with active restrictions.
Steps to Transfer Ownership of a Discord Server
The transfer happens entirely within the Discord desktop app, browser client, or mobile app. The steps are identical across all platforms.
- Open Server Settings
Click the server name at the top left of the channel list. A dropdown menu appears. Select Server Settings from the menu. - Go to the Members Tab
In the left sidebar of Server Settings, click Members. This shows a list of all server members with their roles and join dates. - Find the Recipient
Scroll through the member list or use the search bar at the top right of the members panel. Type the username or nickname of the person you want to make the new owner. - Open the Member’s Menu
Click the three dots (More icon) to the right of the recipient’s name. A small popup menu appears. - Select Transfer Ownership
From the popup menu, click Transfer Ownership. A confirmation dialog appears. - Confirm the Transfer
Read the warning in the confirmation dialog. It states that you will lose all administrative control. If you are sure, click the Transfer Ownership button. If the server requires 2FA, you will be prompted to enter your 2FA code before the transfer completes.
After you confirm, the new owner receives a notification in Discord. The server name in your server list now shows the new owner’s name in the server header. You are no longer the owner.
What to Do After Transferring Ownership
Once the transfer is complete, the new owner should verify that they have full access. They can check by going to Server Settings and confirming they see the Owner badge next to their name. The new owner should also:
- Review all roles and permissions to ensure nothing was accidentally lost.
- If the previous owner needs admin access, assign them the Administrator role or a custom admin role.
- Update the server’s 2FA requirement if needed.
Common Issues When Transferring Ownership
“You do not have permission to transfer ownership” Error
This error appears if you are not the current owner. Only the person who created the server or the person who last received ownership can transfer it. If you are a server admin but not the owner, ask the current owner to perform the transfer.
“This member cannot receive ownership” Error
This error occurs when the recipient does not meet the 2FA requirement. Check the server’s Moderation settings. If “Require 2FA for administrative actions” is enabled, the recipient must have two-factor authentication turned on in their Discord account. Ask them to enable 2FA under User Settings > My Account > Enable Two-Factor Auth.
Transfer Button Is Grayed Out or Missing
The Transfer Ownership option may be unavailable if the recipient has been timed out, banned, or is not a member of the server. Verify that the person is still in the server and has no active restrictions. If they left the server, you must invite them back first.
Previous Owner Still Has Admin Powers
After transfer, the previous owner loses all permissions except those granted by roles. If they still have admin powers, the new owner must remove their admin roles manually. Go to Server Settings > Roles, find the role with Administrator permission, and remove it from the previous owner.
Discord Server Ownership Transfer: Desktop vs Mobile
| Item | Desktop/Browser | Mobile (iOS/Android) |
|---|---|---|
| Access Server Settings | Click server name > Server Settings | Tap server name > tap three dots > Server Settings |
| Locate Members tab | Left sidebar, under User Management | Tap Members in the settings list |
| Find recipient | Scroll or use search bar | Scroll or tap search icon at top |
| Open member menu | Click three dots next to name | Tap member name, then tap three dots |
| Transfer action | Click Transfer Ownership | Tap Transfer Ownership |
The process is functionally identical on both platforms. Mobile users must ensure they are using the latest version of the Discord app for the option to appear.
Conclusion
You now know how to transfer ownership of a Discord server using the Server Settings > Members menu. The recipient must be a server member and may need 2FA enabled depending on the server’s security settings. After the transfer, the new owner should verify their permissions and reassign roles as needed. For advanced control, the new owner can enable the “Require 2FA for administrative actions” setting in Server Settings > Moderation to prevent future unauthorized transfers. Always double-check the recipient’s identity before confirming the transfer.