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To become admin on an ARK: Survival Evolved server on FREAKHOSTING, set your own Admin password in Game settings with the server stopped, start the server, join, press Tab and type enablecheats <your admin password>. To make someone admin without the password, add their SteamID64 to ShooterGame/Saved/AllowedCheaterSteamIDs.txt, one per line, and restart the server.

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Change the admin password first

A new server starts with a template admin password that is public knowledge. Checks on Game settings warns The admin password is still the template one until you change it. Do this before anyone joins.
1

Stop the server

Click Stop.
2

Change the password

Open Game settings. Next to Admin password, click Change, enter a new password in New value and click Done.
3

Review, save and start

Click Review and save, then Start.
Rules for the admin password:
  • Letters, numbers, - and _ only. Other symbols are rejected.
  • It can’t be empty. The panel uses it to save the world and stop the server cleanly.
  • Keep it different from the Server password.

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How to log in as admin in game

1

Join your server

Wait for Waiting commands for 127.0.0.1:27020 in the panel console, then join.
2

Open the console

Press Tab (the default console key on PC).
3

Enable cheats

Type the command with your admin password and press Enter.
Example: enablecheats My-Admin_42. Admin commands then start with cheat, for example cheat ListPlayers. See admin commands.

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How to add permanent admins (AllowedCheaterSteamIDs.txt)

Players in this file get admin rights automatically, as if they had typed enablecheats. They don’t need the password.
1

Find the SteamID64

Each player’s SteamID64 is a 17-digit number. As admin, cheat ListPlayers shows the ids of everyone online.
2

Stop the server

Click Stop.
3

Create the file

In Files, open ShooterGame/Saved/. Create a file called AllowedCheaterSteamIDs.txt (it does not exist on a new server). See File Manager.
4

Add one id per line

Enter each SteamID64 on its own line and save.
5

Start the server

Click Start.

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How to use admin commands without joining

The panel Console sends what you type to the game over RCON once the server is ready. You don’t need enablecheats or cheat there. For example:

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Frequently asked questions

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Why does enablecheats not work?

Check you typed the password exactly as it is on the Startup page under Admin Password, and that you saved it while the server was stopped and restarted afterwards.

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Can I have more than one admin?

Yes. Share the admin password with trusted players, or add each SteamID64 to AllowedCheaterSteamIDs.txt.

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Is there an admin menu?

Yes. As admin, cheat ShowMyAdminManager opens a window with the player list, bans, whitelist and message of the day.

ARK server guide

Every ARK page in one place.

Admin commands

The most used commands.

Server password

Server password vs admin password.

Server console

Send commands from the panel.
Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team on our Game Panel on 2 November 2026 (ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server). Admin file checked against the official ARK Wiki server configuration. Steps may differ slightly if the game changes.

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Need Extra Help?

If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

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Last Updated: November 2026