Home How-To-Guides Mastering Discord: How to Transfer Ownership of Your Server and What You Need to Know

Mastering Discord: How to Transfer Ownership of Your Server and What You Need to Know

Posted: December 18, 2023

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Prerequisites for Transferring Discord Server Ownership

In today's digital age, social networks and communication platforms have become integral to many aspects of life, including gaming, team collaboration, and even professional settings. Among these various platforms, Discord stands out as a versatile communication service specifically designed for the video gaming community, enabling them to chat over text, video, and voice. One feature Discord offers is server ownership, along with the ability to transfer ownership to another user. This process involves granting full administrative rights and privileges to another member, making them the new owner of the server. However, two crucial prerequisites must be fulfilled before this transition occurs.

The Account Receiving Ownership Must Be A Member of The Server

The first requirement to transfer your Discord server ownership is that the person to whom the server is to be transferred has to be a member of that Discord server. Server membership is a foundational requirement not only for practicality but also because it promotes trust and security within the server's community. By ensuring that a prospective new owner is first an active and trusted server member, Discord helps secure the server community against potential risks and threats caused by an outsider getting handed control.

The User Initiating The Transfer Must Be The Server Owner

The second requirement for transferring ownership of a Discord server is that the current server owner must initiate the transfer. This affirms the owner's intention to transfer ownership and protects the server from undue transitions that manipulate server settings and user privileges without the consent of the server owner. Thus, it is essential for maintaining control, integrity, and the stable operation of servers. Forcing unauthorized transfers could lead to significant damage, disputes, or perhaps the dissolution of the server, which is why Discord requires the user initiating the transfer to be the server's currently registered owner.

Transferring Ownership When Owner's Account is Inactive

However, there are situations where the server owner's account is inactive or abandoned for an extended period or perhaps has been incapacitated. In such cases, it is possible to request a transfer of ownership from Discord support. Several conditions need to be met for this involuntary transfer:

  • The server must have at least 100 members.
  • The server has to be public.
  • The owner's account should have been inactive or banned for 30 days or more.
  • The individual requesting the transfer must have been active on their Discord account within the last 30 days, besides having moderator or administrator privileges in the server.

These conditions exist to prevent potential abuse of this privilege and ensure that the server can continue functioning normally even when the previous owner can no longer maintain their role.

Steps for Transferring Discord Server Ownership

Transferring a Discord server's ownership can be necessary for several reasons. You may need to pass the administrative reins to someone who has more time to manage the server or has proven to be a valuable asset to your throbbing online community. Regardless of the motive, transferring Discord server ownership is pretty straightforward. Follow the steps below to do it.

Step 1: Launch the Discord Server in the App or Browser

Start by launching Discord in a web browser or clicking the Discord app icon on your PC or mobile device.

Step 2: Log in Using Your ID

Once the platform loads, sign in to your account using your username and password. It is from here that you're able to make changes to your server, including ownership transfer.

Step 3: On the Left-Hand Bar, Locate Your Discord Server

Upon successful login, locate your server list on the left-hand side of the screen. This list includes all servers you're a member of, including any you own or co-manage.

Step 4: Right-click the Server and Select "Server Settings"

Find the server you want to transfer ownership of and right-click on its icon, then click on "Server settings" from the pop-up menu. This will take you to the settings page for that server.

Step 5: Access the User Management Within Server Settings

Once on your selected server's settings page, navigate to the 'User Management' section.

Step 6: Navigate to the "Members" Section

Within the 'User Management' subset, click on the 'Members' tab in the right pane to pull up a complete list of individuals belonging to your server.

Step 7: On the Right-Hand Pane, Find the Member List

The member list consists of everyone on your server, including administrators, members, and any roles that have been established.

Step 8: Locate the Account for Ownership Transfer

Scroll through the list to find the user you want to transfer ownership to. Remember, transferring ownership means the appointed user gets full control over the server, so choose wisely.

Step 9: Click "Transfer Ownership"

Once you have located the user, click on the three vertical dots next to their name, opening up a sub-menu. Select "Transfer Ownership" from this list.

Step 10: Acknowledge the Prompt Indicating Ownership Rights

Once "Transfer Ownership" is clicked, a prompt will appear asking you to acknowledge the transfer of administrative rights. This step acts as a measure to prevent unintentional transfers.

Step 11: Click "Transfer Ownership" Again to Finalize

Click "Transfer Ownership" once more in the prompt to confirm the transfer. Depending on your security settings, you may be required to enter a verification code from your email or your two-factor authentication (2FA).

Following these straightforward steps will ensure a smooth Discord server ownership transfer. Continuity is key in maintaining a communications platform, and passing on the mantle of server ownership successfully allows your server's culture and activity to continue uninterrupted.

Important Note: After Transferring Ownership

After taking care of the administrative task of transferring Discord server ownership, it is important to consider several noticeable changes. These include aspects related to the new owner's rights, the previous owner's control, and the role of bots in this administration.

Account Ownership Transfer is Irreversible by the Previous Owner

One of the most critical aspects of transferring ownership of a Discord server is that the action is irreversible by the previous owner. Once the transfer is completed, they do not have the means to reclaim ownership on their own. The server is entirely under the new owner's control, and all settings and user rights come under their jurisdiction.

With the new ownership status, the new owner can create, delete, and modify channels, permissions, and roles, among other administrative rights. The new owner may also edit the server's name, region, and avatar, among other paramount settings. Once again, the ability to transfer ownership lies solely with the new owner. Unless they decide to transfer it back or to someone else, the previous owner won't be able to retrieve their privileges.

Cannot Transfer Ownership to a Bot

Another imperative factor to note is that Discord does not allow the transfer of server ownership to bots, irrespective of their permission level or capabilities. Bots can be useful for automating tasks, moderating conversations, and maintaining servers in many ways, but they cannot become server owners. Ownership transfers are exclusive to actual person users and best remain that way for security and responsibility purposes. Bot owners who wish to change the server's ownership should manually take over the transfer.

In conclusion, transferring ownership of a Discord server carries significant weight and effects. As the previous owner, it is necessary to be aware of these outcomes, as they directly influence your server's community's continued management and growth. Remembering key points such as the irreversible nature of the transfer and the inability to transfer ownership to a bot can help facilitate a smooth and effective ownership transfer process.

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