Allowlist and whitelist explained

What the allowlist (Bedrock) and whitelist (Java) do, the commands to manage them, and the classic trap where turning it on with no names blocks everyone, including you.

2 min read · Updated Sep 24, 2026 · By GuavaHost Team

An allowlist (Minecraft Bedrock) or whitelist (Minecraft Java) is a list of the only players allowed to join. It is the same idea with two different names. When it is on, anyone not on the list is turned away. It is the simplest way to keep a server private to you and your friends.

The one trap to know

Here is the mistake almost everyone makes at least once. If you turn the list ON while it has ZERO names in it, you block EVERYONE, including yourself. An empty allowed list means nobody is allowed. Always add the names first, or add yourself in the same session, or you will lock yourself out.

Managing it on Bedrock

Type these in the Console tab in the panel, or in game if you are an operator.

1. Add a player: allowlist add <name>, for example allowlist add Steve.
2. Remove a player: allowlist remove <name>.
3. See who is on it: allowlist list.
4. Turn it off so anyone can join: allowlist off.
5. Turn it on: allowlist on. Only do this once you have added names.

Managing it on Java

Same idea, different word.

1. Add a player: whitelist add <name>, for example whitelist add Steve.
2. Remove a player: whitelist remove <name>.
3. See who is on it: whitelist list.
4. Turn it off so anyone can join: whitelist off.
5. Turn it on: whitelist on. Again, add names first.

On Java you may need to run whitelist reload after editing the list for changes to take effect.

The setting in server.properties

Whether the list is on is also stored in a file called server.properties, which holds your server's core settings. You can change it on the Server properties page under Minecraft tools in your server's menu, or edit the file itself on the Files tab.

1. On Bedrock the line is allow-list=true or allow-list=false.
2. On Java the line is white-list=true or white-list=false.
3. Setting it to true is the same as turning the list on, so the empty list trap applies here too. Add your names before you set it to true.
4. If you edit the file, restart the server from the Console tab so the change is picked up.

Troubleshooting

• You locked yourself out: open the Console tab in the panel and run allowlist off (Bedrock) or whitelist off (Java). The console works even when you cannot join in game, so you can always recover this way.
• Added a name but they still cannot join: check the spelling of their username exactly. On Java, try whitelist reload. On Bedrock, the name must match their account name.
• Changes not taking effect: if you edited server.properties by hand, restart the server so it reloads the file.

Still stuck? Jump into our Discord at discord.gg/GuavaHost and the team will help you out.

• minecraft
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• whitelist
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