Transferring ownership of a SharePoint site is a crucial administrative task. Whether due to role changes or team restructuring, knowing the process ensures smooth operations. SharePoint doesn’t have a single “transfer ownership” button, but the goal can be achieved through key admin steps.

Identify the Current Site Owner

Before changing ownership, identify the existing site owner. Typically, this is the person listed in the Site permissions as an owner or part of the Owners group. Go to the site settings, click on Permissions, and verify the current structure.

Add the New Owner to the Site Owners Group

To begin the ownership shift:

1. Navigate to the SharePoint site.

2. Click on the gear icon and select Site Permissions.

3. Click Advanced permissions settings.

4. Select the Site Owners group.

5. Click New and add the new owner’s email or username.

Adding them to the Owners group gives full administrative control, enabling them to manage all aspects of the site.

Remove the Previous Owner (Optional)

Once the new owner is added and confirmed:

• Go back to the Owners group.

• Select the previous owner's name.

• Click Remove User from Group.

This step is optional. You may choose to retain the previous owner as a backup admin temporarily.

Set Primary Site Collection Administrator (For Classic Sites)

If you are working with Classic SharePoint sites, update the Site Collection Administrator:

1. Go to SharePoint Admin Center.

2. Click on Active Sites.

3. Choose the relevant site.

4. Under Permissions, update the Primary Admin field with the new owner’s name.

This ensures that admin emails and responsibilities are correctly redirected.

For Modern Sites: Assign Group Ownership

Modern SharePoint sites connected to Microsoft 365 groups have a different structure. To transfer group ownership:

1. Go to Microsoft 365 Admin Center.

2. Open Groups > Active groups.

3. Search and select the relevant group.

4. Click on Owners.

5. Add the new owner and remove the old one if needed.

This change updates ownership across SharePoint, Outlook, Teams, and Planner.

Inform the New Owner

After assigning ownership:

• Send a short guide on responsibilities.

• Include a list of key documents or permissions.

• Encourage them to review the Site Settings and Permissions.

Clear communication ensures a smooth transition without any confusion or downtime.

Backup Important Data

Before making any significant changes, always backup:

• Site structure

• Permissions

• Libraries and document versions

This step is essential to avoid accidental loss during the ownership update process.

Verify Ownership Transfer

Lastly, confirm the changes:

• Ask the new owner to access the site settings.

• Ensure they can manage permissions and site features.

• Check if the new owner's details reflect across Microsoft 365.

A successful transfer avoids workflow interruptions and keeps the SharePoint environment secure.

Best Practices for Ownership Transfer

• Keep a log of changes.

• Assign at least one backup owner.

• Review site permissions quarterly.

• Educate new owners about governance policies.

Following these practices ensures long-term site integrity and data security.

Conclusion
Transferring SharePoint site ownership is simple with the right steps. By managing permissions carefully and keeping communication clear, you can maintain productivity and prevent disruptions. Always ensure backup and verification before considering the task complete.

Other Helping Resources:

1. Download Emails from Outlook
2. Export Office 365 Mailbox to PST
3. download files from Onedrive to Local drive
4. Backup SharePoint Online
5. SharePoint Migration tool
6. SharePoint Backup tool
7. OneDrive backup tool
8. Download files from SharePoint
9. Archive SharePoint Site
10. Migrate SharePoint Site
11. Migration manager
12. Office 365 Backup
13. Export Office 365 to PST
14. Office 365 to Google Workspace Migration
15. Shoviv Software
16. Export PST from OWA