# How to Whitelist a Minecraft Server

> Only let players you choose join your Minecraft Java server.

Source: https://www.beaconhosting.org/knowledgebase/how-to-whitelist-a-minecraft-server
Category: Minecraft
Last updated: 2026-10-22

A whitelist means only players you've added can join.

## Add players

Run these in **Console** (or in game as an operator, with `/`):

```
whitelist on
whitelist add PlayerName
whitelist remove PlayerName
whitelist list
```

`whitelist on` takes effect straight away; no restart needed.

To see or remove players later, open **Players** in the sidebar. The **Whitelist** column lists everyone on it, with a **Remove** button for each.

## Turn it on in server.properties

So it stays on after a restart:

1. Open **Files** and click **`server.properties`**.
2. Turn on **`white-list`**, and **`enforce-whitelist`** if you want players who aren't on the list kicked straight away.
3. Save and restart.

## Things to know

- Names must match exactly. The server looks up each name's UUID, so a player who changes their name stays whitelisted.
- **Operators can always join**, whitelisted or not.
- On a **Velocity** network, whitelist on the proxy with a plugin, or on each backend server.

> [!TIP]
> Bedrock players joining through Geyser and Floodgate need their name with the Floodgate prefix (by default a `.`), for example `whitelist add .BedrockName`.