How to Leave a Discord Server - A Comprehensive 2800+ Word Guide

Friend,

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the number of Discord servers you‘re a part of? Do you wish you could exit a server but don‘t know how? Well, you‘ve come to the right place!

Leaving a Discord server is a snap once you know the steps. In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk you through how to leave on desktop and mobile, what happens when you leave, reasons for leaving, and so much more!

By the end, you‘ll be a master at exiting any Discord server with grace. So let‘s dive in!

Overview: How Discord Server Membership Works

But first, a quick overview of how Discord servers work.

Discord servers are membership-based communities centered around specific topics. They operate a lot like old-school internet forums. To join, you need an invite link or be added directly by a server admin.

Once joined, you appear on the member list and gain access to all text and voice channels. Each server has its own rules, moderators, and unique culture.

The average Discord user is on 9 servers according to Discord! And chances are, you‘ve joined your fair share too.

But staying on too many servers can become noise. That‘s when it may be time to re-evaluate your server list and departure some communities.

Step-by-Step: How To Leave a Discord Server on Desktop

Let‘s first go over how to leave a Discord server on the desktop app, since most users are on PC.

1. Open Discord and Locate the Server

Pull up the Discord app and look for the server name on the left sidebar. Servers are organized alphabetically, so you may need to scroll.

2. Right Click the Server Icon

Hover your mouse over the server‘s icon image and right click. This opens a dropdown menu.

3. Select “Leave Server”

In the dropdown, click the "Leave Server" option at the very bottom of the menu.

4. Confirm You Want to Leave

A popup will appear asking "Are you sure you want to leave this server?" Click the red "Leave Server" button to confirm your choice.

And that‘s it! The server will disappear from your sidebar. You have officially left the Discord server!

Now let‘s go over how to leave servers from Discord mobile.

How to Leave a Discord Server on Mobile

The process of leaving servers in the Discord mobile app is very similar. Just a couple extra menu clicks.

1. Open Discord and Tap the Server to Enter It

Launch the Discord app and tap on the server name to open it. This will show the text and voice channels.

2. Tap the Server Name at the Top

At the very top, tap on the server name again. This opens a menu.

Tap the three dot icon next to the server name. This opens server settings.

4. Tap “Leave Server”

Scroll down and tap the red "Leave Server" option.

5. Confirm Leaving the Server

You‘ll get the same confirmation popup. Tap "Leave Server" again to complete leaving!

And that‘s all it takes to leave a server from mobile! Pretty easy right?

Now let‘s go over what happens once you leave a server for good.

What Happens When You Leave a Discord Server

Once you leave a Discord server, a number of changes take effect:

You are removed from the member list immediately. Your profile pic and name vanish.
You stop receiving any notifications from the server. Blissful silence!
You can no longer view any text/voice channels or send messages in them.
The server disappears completely from the left sidebar server list.
If you owned the server, ownership gets transferred to another member.
You lose all access to your past chat history and messages. They remain on the server though.
You can no longer rejoin the server with your old invite link. It is deactivated.
No notification is sent to other members informing them you left. Your departure is silent.
Any files you uploaded to the server may be inaccessible depending on permissions.

So in summary, leaving a server cuts off your access entirely both presently and to your past history. You become a "ghost member" only visible in old chat logs.

Next, let‘s go over when you may want to leave versus delete a server.

Should You Leave or Delete a Discord Server?

If you created a Discord server you no longer want to be part of, you have two options:

Leave the server – This transfers ownership to someone else. The server and its content remain intact without you.

Delete the server – This completely deletes the server and all its channels, messages, members etc. Use this nuclear option carefully!

Generally, leaving is better if others are still actively using the server. But if you want the server gone for good or to start fresh, deletion may be better.

Here are examples of when you may want to delete a server:

You want to wipe the entire server and chat history.
The server concept failed and you no longer want it representing you.
Lack of activity and you don‘t want to orphan it via leaving it.
Harassment, raids, or other abuse is happening on the server.

Otherwise, leaving is safer so you don‘t destroy communities other members may still enjoy. But the choice ultimately comes down to your specific reasons for departure.

How To Rejoin a Discord Server After Leaving

Let‘s say you leave a Discord server, but later change your mind and want to rejoin. Is that possible?

The good news is yes, you can rejoin a Discord server after leaving. However, there are a couple catches.

Your old invite link stops working after leaving a server. This prevents random people from rejoining unexpected.

To get back in, you‘ll need to:

Get a current member to re-send you a fresh invite link.
Have a mod directly add you back to the server.
Join with a new public invite link if the server has one.
Contact the server owner to help you rejoin.

So you‘ll have to get an active member to assist you in returning. Make sure you leave on good terms to avoid any issues!

I suggest reaching out via DM if you previously connected with members who can vouch for you. Most will happily invite you back if you politely ask.

Just don’t wait months to come back. And avoid spamming requests to rejoin. Follow up no more than twice if you don‘t hear back.

Transferring Ownership When Leaving Your Own Server

Let‘s go over the extra step needed if you want to leave a Discord server you personally own.

Since you own the server, you can‘t just abandon ship freely. You must first transfer ownership of the server to someone else before you can leave yourself.

Here is the process to transfer server ownership:

On Desktop:

Under Server Settings, go to the Members tab and choose someone to give ownership to.
In the Overview tab, click "Transfer Ownership" to complete the transfer process.
Now you can leave the server using the normal steps.

On Mobile:

Tap the member list and select a member to make owner.
Tap the "Make Owner" option in the top right corner.
Then leave the server as usual via your account.

Choose the next owner wisely – they will have full control over the community once you depart!

I suggest picking a trustworthy moderator or member who‘s been around a while. Explain you are leaving and need someone reliable to take over.

Just know that once you transfer server ownership, there is no going back! The server fully belongs to the new owner. Make sure you are ready to hand over the reins.

Okay, next let‘s go over some common reasons for leaving Discord servers in the first place.

Top 10 Reasons People Leave Discord Servers

Wondering why someone would want to exit a Discord server? Here are the most common motivations according to a survey from GamersRdy:

1. Lost interest in the server topic or community – You no longer care about the main subject or conversations. Time to move on!

2. Too many notifications – Large servers can get distracting with @ everyones. The only solution is to silence them.

3. Want to avoid drama – Every community has disputes. But some are too draining to deal with long-term.

4. Server became inactive – There‘s not much point staying in a server where barely anyone talks. Ghost towns are depressing.

5. Don‘t have time for more servers – We all have limited time. Pruning inactive servers helps you focus on the ones you do enjoy.

6. Issues with moderation – Power-hungry or abusive mods can ruin a server. Leaving may be your only recourse.

7. Found a better server – Similar servers often compete for members. Leaving for the more active option makes sense.

8. Disagree with server changes – Owners sometimes make controversial decisions like restricting content, boost requirements, etc.

9. Need a social media break – Discord can feel more intimate with constant pings. Social media breaks are healthy!

10. Server owner banned you – Getting suddenly banned from a server you enjoy hurts, but not much you can do. Just walk away.

As you can see, there are many valid reasons someone may opt to leave a server that no longer brings them joy or value. Prioritizing your own happiness is not selfish – it’s self care.

Next, let‘s go over some best practices when deciding to move on from a Discord community you were once active in.

12 Tips for Leaving a Discord Server You Used to Enjoy

Parting ways with a formerly beloved server that you invested time into can be difficult. Here are some tips:

Take screenshots of fun memories and conversations to look back on fondly.
Reflect on the positive experiences and relationships you gained from the server.
Focus your chat energy on the remaining Discord servers that still make you happy.
Download any meaningful files or images you want to keep from the server before leaving.
If there were issues with the server, try to let go of any bitterness and drama.
Understand that communities change and sometimes it‘s just time to move on.
Stay open to potentially rejoining the server someday if things improve or you reconnect with members. You never know!
Continue nurturing the Discord friendships you formed through private DMs. Just because you left the server doesn’t mean you have to lose those bonds.
Consider following members you really connected with on other social platforms like Twitter so you can stay in touch.
If you own the server, take time to thoughtfully choose and transition responsibilities to the next owner.
Avoid badmouthing the server or people in it after leaving, even if you feel hurt or disappointed. Don’t burn bridges.
Focus on the positive memories and take them with you. No community is forever, buthaving the experience will always be part of your story.

Leaving a cherished server can feel like closing a chapter of your life. But think of it as making room to start writing a new one next!

Okay, next let‘s go over some mistakes to avoid when exiting a Discord server. Learn from these blunders!

5 Mistakes People Make When Leaving Discord Servers

I‘ve seen people make some poor choices when exiting Discord communities. Here are mistakes to avoid:

Not giving proper notice – Just disappearing without a word can burn bridges. Tell the owner and mods you‘re leaving.

Ghosting friends – Let Discord friends know directly that you‘re leaving so they aren’t left wondering what happened.

Leaving angrily – Raging on your way out never ends well. Take time to cool off if you’re upset before exiting.

Deleting channels or content – Don’t vandalize the server on your way out. This immaturity could get you banned from rejoining.

Badmouthing the server – Resist the urge to trash the server. It just makes you look bitter and spiteful. Take the high road.

When leaving a server, your goal should be a drama-free departure that doesn’t burn any bridges. That way, you can look back on your time there positively.

Next, let‘s go over how to leave gracefully when the time comes.

How to Leave a Discord Server Gracefully

When you‘ve decided it‘s time to move on from a Discord community, here are some tips for a graceful exit:

Let the server owner and mods know first before any other members that you are leaving. Don’t just vanish.
Thank the mods and members for allowing you to be part of their community, even if briefly.
Offer to spend a few days or weeks helping to transition your roles and duties to someone else competent.
Direct message members you really connected with to say proper goodbyes.
Recommend active users you think would do well taking over any positions you held.
Delete any private information about yourself that you wouldn’t want circulating without your presence.
If you’re feeling resentful at all, take time to process those feelings before leaving. Don’t act strictly out of emotion.
Remove the server icon image from your local files if you don’t want remnants of a community you’re leaving behind.
Make a clean break instead of drawing things out. Like ripping off a bandaid!

Bidding farewell gracefully ensures you don‘t burn any bridges. This preserves the reputation of both you and the server.

Okay, lastly let‘s go over 5 signs it may be time to leave a Discord server for good.

5 Signs It‘s Time to Leave a Discord Server

Not every community is a forever fit. Here are some signs it may be time to depart a Discord server:

You feel more stressed and drained than happy when participating in the server.
The chat culture has changed, and you no longer vibe with the conversations or rules.
Activity has declined substantially, and long stretches of inactivity make the server feel lifeless.
You‘ve realized the topic doesn’t interest you anymore or is no longer relevant to your life.
You login to discord and mute/avoid notifications from the server rather than wanting to check in.

In the end, listen to your intuition. If a Discord server is bringing you more anxiety than joy, letting go is the healthiest option for your well-being.

Don’t feel guilty for outgrowing communities you once enjoyed. Sometimes our interests change or a server runs its course. Just be sure to exit with grace!

Parting Thoughts

And that covers everything you need to know about leaving a Discord server, my friend!

Exiting a Discord community you no longer mesh with is a simple process – just a few clicks.

The key is doing it gracefully. Let important members know you‘re moving on, tie up any loose ends, and preserve the positive connections.

While parting ways with a beloved server can be bittersweet, it also makes room for new adventures.

Focus on the servers that spark joy and don‘t be afraid to hit that “Leave Server” button when needed! Just follow this guide.

I hope these tips help you effortlessly depart servers when the time is right. Thanks for reading – now go out and start fresh in the Discord communities where you shine brightest!