How to whitelist my FiveM server?

Learning how to whitelist a FiveM server is essential for server owners who want to create a secure, controlled community in 2025. Whitelisting ensures that only approved players can access your server, protecting it from trolls, griefers, and unauthorized users. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every method, from manual Discord integration to advanced database management, helping you maintain full control over your FiveM server environment while leveraging the powerful infrastructure available at Nexus Games.

Understanding FiveM Server Whitelisting in 2025

Whitelisting a FiveM server means restricting access so only players whose identifiers are pre-approved can join. This mechanism is crucial for roleplay servers, private communities, and competitive gaming environments where quality control matters more than open access. When you whitelist your FiveM server, you verify each player’s identity through unique identifiers such as Steam ID, Discord ID, or license identifier before granting entry.

Modern FiveM servers in 2025 benefit from advanced hardware configurations that support complex whitelisting systems without performance degradation. At Nexus Games, servers are powered by the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D processor with 16 cores and 32 threads running at frequencies below 5 GHz, coupled with DDR5 ECC RAM and NVMe SSD storage. This robust foundation ensures your whitelist scripts run smoothly even during peak player authentication periods.

Why Whitelist Your FiveM Server?

Implementing a whitelist on your FiveM server provides multiple advantages:

• Enhanced Security: Prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of DDoS attacks or malicious actors infiltrating your community.
• Community Quality: Maintain high standards by manually vetting each applicant, ensuring active, engaged, and rule-abiding players.
• Roleplay Integrity: For serious roleplay servers, whitelisting guarantees that participants understand and commit to server lore and rules.
• Resource Optimization: With controlled access, your server resources—especially RAM and CPU—are allocated efficiently without unexpected spikes.
• Customization: Tailor access permissions based on roles, creating VIP tiers or staff-only testing environments.

When hosting your FiveM server with Nexus Games, you gain access to the Nexus Panel, which simplifies server management, including the configuration of whitelist systems. The panel integrates seamlessly with popular frameworks like ESX, QBCore, and standalone scripts, making implementation straightforward even for server owners new to FiveM administration.

Player Identifiers: The Foundation of Whitelisting

To effectively whitelist a FiveM server, you must understand player identifiers. FiveM assigns multiple identifiers to each connecting player:

Identifier Type	Description	Format Example
Steam ID	Unique identifier from Steam platform	steam:110000xxxxxxxx
License	Rockstar Social Club license	license:a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8
Discord ID	Discord user identifier	discord:123456789012345678
IP Address	Player’s network IP (less reliable)	ip:192.168.1.1

Most secure whitelist systems combine multiple identifiers—typically Steam, License, and Discord—to prevent ban evasion and account sharing. Your FiveM server should query these identifiers during the connection handshake and cross-reference them against a whitelist database before allowing access.

Method 1: Discord-Based Whitelist System

The most popular approach to whitelist a FiveM server in 2025 is through Discord integration. This method leverages Discord’s robust API and your community’s existing Discord server to manage access control efficiently. Players must join your Discord server and receive a specific role before they can connect to your FiveM server.

Prerequisites for Discord Whitelisting

Before implementing a Discord-based whitelist, ensure you have:

• A Discord server with appropriate bot permissions (Administrator or Manage Roles)
• A Discord bot token from the Discord Developer Portal
• A FiveM server hosted on reliable infrastructure—Nexus Games provides 1 Gbps bandwidth ensuring fast authentication responses
• Basic knowledge of Lua scripting or access to pre-built whitelist resources

Step-by-Step Discord Whitelist Configuration

Follow these detailed steps to implement Discord whitelisting:

Step 1: Create and Configure Your Discord Bot

Navigate to the Discord Developer Portal and create a new application. Under the “Bot” section, generate a bot token and copy it securely. Enable the necessary privileged gateway intents: Server Members Intent and Message Content Intent. Invite the bot to your Discord server using the OAuth2 URL generator with appropriate permissions.

Step 2: Install a Discord Whitelist Resource

Download a trusted Discord whitelist script from the FiveM forums or GitHub repositories. Popular options include “Badger_Discord_API” or “discord-whitelist” resources. Extract the resource files into your FiveM server’s resources folder.

Step 3: Configure the Resource

Edit the config.lua or equivalent configuration file. Input your Discord bot token, Discord server (guild) ID, and the role ID that whitelisted players must possess. Example configuration snippet:

Config = {}
Config.DiscordBotToken = "YOUR_BOT_TOKEN_HERE"
Config.GuildId = "123456789012345678"
Config.WhitelistRoleId = "987654321098765432"
Config.KickMessage = "You are not whitelisted on this server. Join our Discord and apply!"

Step 4: Add the Resource to server.cfg

Open your server.cfg file and ensure the whitelist resource starts before other gameplay resources:

ensure discord-whitelist
ensure es_extended  # or your framework
ensure other-resources

Step 5: Test the Whitelist System

Restart your FiveM server through the Nexus Panel and attempt to connect with an account that doesn’t have the whitelisted Discord role. You should be kicked with your custom message. Then assign the role in Discord and verify successful connection.

Advanced Discord Whitelist Features

Modern Discord whitelist systems offer sophisticated features:

• Multi-Role Support: Define different access tiers (VIP, Staff, Regular) with varying in-game permissions
• Temporary Access: Grant time-limited whitelist status for trial periods or events
• Automated Application Process: Integrate Discord forms where players submit applications, and staff approve via reactions or commands
• Audit Logging: Track whitelist additions and removals with timestamps and responsible staff members
• Ban Synchronization: Automatically remove Discord roles when players are banned from your FiveM server

These features require more complex scripting but provide exceptional control. If you’re running a large community, the processing power of the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D available through Nexus Games hosting ensures seamless operation even with hundreds of concurrent whitelist checks.

Method 2: Database-Driven Whitelist Management

For maximum flexibility and control over how you whitelist your FiveM server, implementing a database-driven system is the professional approach. This method stores approved player identifiers in a MySQL or MariaDB database, allowing for dynamic management through admin panels, in-game commands, or web interfaces.

Setting Up Your Whitelist Database

Most FiveM frameworks like ESX and QBCore already include database infrastructure. You’ll create a dedicated whitelist table within your existing database. Here’s a sample SQL structure:

CREATE TABLE `whitelist` (
  `id` INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
  `identifier` VARCHAR(100) NOT NULL UNIQUE,
  `player_name` VARCHAR(100),
  `approved_by` VARCHAR(100),
  `approved_date` TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,
  `notes` TEXT
) ENGINE=InnoDB DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8mb4;

This table stores the player’s unique identifier (Steam, License, or Discord), their name, who approved them, when, and optional notes. The NVMe SSD storage on Nexus Games servers ensures rapid database queries, even with thousands of whitelist entries.

Creating the Server-Side Whitelist Script

Develop or adapt a Lua script that queries your whitelist database on player connection. Here’s a basic implementation framework:

-- server.lua
MySQL.ready(function()
    print("^2Whitelist system initialized^0")
end)

AddEventHandler('playerConnecting', function(playerName, setKickReason, deferrals)
    local src = source
    deferrals.defer()
    deferrals.update("Checking whitelist status...")
    
    local identifiers = GetPlayerIdentifiers(src)
    local whitelisted = false
    
    for _, identifier in pairs(identifiers) do
        if string.match(identifier, "license:") or string.match(identifier, "steam:") then
            MySQL.Async.fetchAll('SELECT * FROM whitelist WHERE identifier = @identifier', {
                ['@identifier'] = identifier
            }, function(result)
                if result[1] then
                    whitelisted = true
                    deferrals.done()
                else
                    deferrals.done("You are not whitelisted. Apply at discord.gg/yourserver")
                end
            end)
            break
        end
    end
end)

This script intercepts player connections, retrieves their identifiers, queries the database, and either allows or denies access. The DDR5 ECC RAM configuration on Nexus Games servers prevents memory bottlenecks during simultaneous connection requests.

Admin Management Interface

To efficiently manage your whitelist, implement admin commands or a web panel. In-game admin commands example:

-- Add player to whitelist
RegisterCommand('whitelist-add', function(source, args)
    if IsPlayerAdmin(source) then
        local identifier = args[1]
        local playerName = args[2]
        MySQL.Async.execute('INSERT INTO whitelist (identifier, player_name, approved_by) VALUES (@id, @name, @admin)', {
            ['@id'] = identifier,
            ['@name'] = playerName,
            ['@admin'] = GetPlayerName(source)
        })
        TriggerClientEvent('chat:addMessage', source, {args = {"^2SUCCESS", "Player whitelisted"}})
    end
end, true)

-- Remove player from whitelist
RegisterCommand('whitelist-remove', function(source, args)
    if IsPlayerAdmin(source) then
        local identifier = args[1]
        MySQL.Async.execute('DELETE FROM whitelist WHERE identifier = @id', {
            ['@id'] = identifier
        })
        TriggerClientEvent('chat:addMessage', source, {args = {"^1REMOVED", "Player removed from whitelist"}})
    end
end, true)

For a more user-friendly approach, consider integrating with web-based admin panels. Nexus Games offers VPS solutions with Pterodactyl pre-installed, which can host custom web interfaces for whitelist management alongside your game server.

Hybrid Whitelist Systems

The most robust solution combines Discord verification with database storage. Players apply through Discord, staff review applications, and upon approval, their identifiers are automatically added to the database. This hybrid approach provides:

• Social verification through Discord presence
• Flexible database management for complex scenarios
• Redundancy—if Discord API experiences downtime, database checks still function
• Comprehensive audit trails across both platforms

Method 3: Steam Group and License-Based Whitelisting

An alternative approach to whitelist a FiveM server focuses on Steam group membership or Rockstar license verification. This method suits communities already established on Steam or those wanting a simpler system without Discord dependencies.

Steam Group Whitelist Implementation

Create a Steam group for your community and configure your FiveM server to verify membership during player connection. You’ll need:

• A public or private Steam group with a unique group ID
• Steam Web API key from Steam’s developer portal
• A whitelist script that queries Steam’s API

The server-side script retrieves the player’s Steam ID during connection, queries Steam’s API to check group membership, and grants or denies access accordingly. Example logic flow:

-- Pseudo-code for Steam group verification
function CheckSteamGroupMembership(steamID, groupID, apiKey)
    local apiURL = string.format("http://api.steampowered.com/ISteamUser/GetUserGroupList/v1/?key=%s&steamid=%s", apiKey, steamID)
    
    PerformHttpRequest(apiURL, function(statusCode, response)
        if statusCode == 200 then
            local data = json.decode(response)
            for _, group in pairs(data.response.groups) do
                if tostring(group.gid) == groupID then
                    return true
                end
            end
        end
        return false
    end)
end

This method is less popular than Discord integration in 2025 but remains viable for Steam-centric communities. The 1 Gbps bandwidth provided by Nexus Games ensures rapid API responses, minimizing connection delays during verification.

License-Based Whitelist

For the strictest control, maintain a manual list of approved Rockstar license identifiers. This approach eliminates external API dependencies and works offline, ideal for private test servers or exclusive communities. Store licenses in a simple Lua table or database:

-- config.lua
Config.WhitelistedLicenses = {
    "license:a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0k1l2m3n4o5p6",
    "license:q9r8s7t6u5v4w3x2y1z0a1b2c3d4e5f6",
    -- Add more licenses
}

During connection, compare the player’s license against this list. While tedious for large communities, it’s perfect for whitelisting staff members or beta testers on development servers hosted via Windows VPS or Linux VPS solutions from Nexus Games.

Best Practices for FiveM Server Whitelisting in 2025

Security Considerations

When implementing any whitelist system, prioritize security:

• Never hardcode tokens or API keys directly in scripts; use environment variables or encrypted configuration files
• Implement rate limiting to prevent brute-force attempts against your whitelist system
• Log all whitelist modifications with timestamps and responsible administrators for accountability
• Regularly audit your whitelist database or lists, removing inactive or banned players
• Use multi-identifier verification combining Steam, License, and Discord to prevent circumvention

Performance Optimization

Whitelist checks occur during the connection phase, which must complete quickly to avoid timeout errors. Optimize performance by:

• Caching whitelist data in server memory, refreshing periodically rather than querying databases on every connection
• Using indexed database columns (identifier fields) for rapid lookups
• Minimizing external API calls; batch verify when possible
• Leveraging the powerful AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D processor available through Nexus Games, which handles concurrent whitelist verifications without performance degradation

User Experience

Balance security with user-friendliness:

• Provide clear kick messages explaining how to apply for whitelist access
• Create simple application processes—overly complex forms discourage genuine players
• Respond to applications promptly; automated notifications to staff via Discord webhooks help
• Offer appeal processes for wrongly removed players

Backup and Redundancy

Always maintain backups of your whitelist data. If using database-driven systems, schedule automated MySQL backups. For Discord-based systems, periodically export role memberships. The NVMe SSD storage on Nexus Games servers combined with regular snapshot capabilities ensures your whitelist data is protected against hardware failures or accidental deletions.

Testing Your Whitelist

Before deploying a whitelist system on your production server, thoroughly test in a development environment:

1. Test connection with whitelisted accounts from various platforms (Steam, Epic, standalone)
2. Verify non-whitelisted accounts receive appropriate kick messages
3. Confirm admin commands function correctly for adding/removing players
4. Stress-test with multiple simultaneous connections to identify performance bottlenecks
5. Check compatibility with your existing framework (ESX, QBCore, vRP, etc.)

Nexus Games’ Pterodactyl VPS hosting makes it easy to spin up testing environments, allowing you to perfect your whitelist configuration without affecting your live community.

Troubleshooting Common Whitelist Issues

Players Kicked Despite Being Whitelisted

If whitelisted players receive kick messages, check:

• Identifier format matches exactly (case-sensitive, including prefixes like “steam:” or “license:”)
• Database or configuration file contains no typos
• Script execution order—whitelist resource must start before connection is fully established
• Multiple identifiers are being checked if player connects via different platform (e.g., Epic instead of Steam)

Discord Whitelist Not Responding

When Discord-based whitelists fail:

• Verify bot token is valid and hasn’t expired
• Confirm bot has proper permissions in your Discord server
• Check Discord API status for outages
• Enable privileged gateway intents in Discord Developer Portal
• Review server console logs for API error messages

Database Connection Errors

For database-driven whitelists experiencing connectivity issues:

• Confirm MySQL/MariaDB service is running on your server
• Verify connection credentials in your FiveM configuration
• Check firewall rules aren’t blocking database ports (typically 3306)
• Ensure database user has appropriate permissions (SELECT, INSERT, DELETE on whitelist table)

The robust server infrastructure at Nexus Games, with enterprise-grade DDR5 ECC RAM and stable network connectivity, minimizes these technical issues. However, if problems persist, Nexus Games’ support team can assist with server-side diagnostics.

Performance Lag During Whitelist Checks

If players experience long connection times:

• Implement caching to reduce database queries
• Optimize SQL queries with proper indexing
• Reduce external API calls or implement local fallbacks
• Consider upgrading to higher-spec hosting if running multiple resource-heavy scripts

The combination of 16 cores/32 threads on the Ryzen 9 7950X3D and NVMe storage available through Nexus Games ensures even complex whitelist systems execute in milliseconds, providing seamless player experiences.

In conclusion, learning how to whitelist a FiveM server effectively in 2025 requires understanding player identifiers, choosing the right implementation method for your community, and maintaining robust security practices. Whether you opt for Discord integration, database management, or hybrid systems, the powerful infrastructure provided by Nexus Games—featuring cutting-edge processors, ample DDR5 ECC RAM, lightning-fast NVMe storage, and comprehensive management tools—ensures your whitelist system operates flawlessly. By following this guide, you’ll create a secure, exclusive community that maintains high standards while providing excellent performance for all approved members.

FAQ

Can I use multiple whitelist methods simultaneously on my FiveM server?

Yes, implementing hybrid whitelist systems is highly recommended for maximum security. You can combine Discord role verification with database storage, or use Steam group membership as a primary check with license identifiers as a fallback. This redundancy ensures your whitelist functions even if one service experiences downtime. When configuring multiple methods, structure your connection handler to check each verification method sequentially, granting access if any approved method succeeds. The powerful AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D processors available through Nexus Games handle these multiple verification layers without introducing noticeable connection delays.

How do I whitelist players who use Epic Games or standalone GTA V instead of Steam?

Players connecting via Epic Games or standalone Rockstar versions won’t have Steam identifiers, but they will have license identifiers assigned by Rockstar Social Club. Configure your whitelist script to accept multiple identifier types—typically license and Discord IDs work universally across all platforms. When players apply for whitelist access, collect their license identifier (they can find this by attempting to connect once and checking your server logs for their “license:” string). Database-driven whitelist systems excel in these scenarios because you can store any identifier type in the same table structure, ensuring platform-agnostic access control.

What’s the best way to manage whitelist applications for a large community?

For communities expecting hundreds of applications, implement an automated Discord bot that handles submissions through forms or commands. Players use a command like “!apply” which triggers a DM with questions about their roleplay experience, understanding of server rules, and character backstory. Responses are posted to a staff-only channel where admins review and approve/deny with reaction emojis. Upon approval, the bot automatically adds the player’s Discord ID to your whitelist database and assigns the appropriate Discord role. This system, paired with the robust infrastructure and management tools available through Nexus Games’ Nexus Panel, scales efficiently even for communities with thousands of members while maintaining quality control.

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