As server passwords are only supported by the Steam version of ARK, enabling exclusive join is the only way to protect a crossplay or Epic Games-only server from unwanted players.
Enabling Exclusive Join
Exclusive Join requires Custom Startup Parameters to be enabled. If you have not already done this or are unsure how to do so, check out our guide here.
- Login to your control panel and stop your server.
- Navigate to your ARK Server Properties config file in Files > Config Files and scroll down until you see the Custom Startup Parameters field.
- Add the parameter
-exclusivejoinand click Save. - Navigate to Files > FTP File Access and login to access your server’s files.
- In the directory
/ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux/, create a new file calledPlayersExclusiveJoinList.txt.- You can create a new file by clicking on New file in the sidebar.
- You can create a new file by clicking on New file in the sidebar.
- In this file, add the Steam64 or Epic Games IDs for each player you want to allow access to. Each ID should be on a separate line.
- If you do not yet have the IDs for your players, you can find them following our guide here.
- Once you have added all the IDs, click Save.
- Navigate back to the main page of your control panel and restart your server for the changes to take effect.
When attempting to login, players not whitelisted will see the following screen.
