How to Host an open.mp Server for GTA San Andreas (2026 Guide)

To host an open.mp server, download the server release for your system from the open.mp GitHub page, extract it, put your compiled gamemode (.amx) in gamemodes, set its name in config.json under pawn.main_scripts, change the RCON password from changeme, and run omp-server.exe on Windows or ./omp-server on Linux. Players connect on UDP port 7777 by default, using the open.mp launcher or the old SA-MP client, and need the original PC version of GTA San Andreas.

open.mp is the community's drop in replacement for the SA-MP server. It runs SA-MP Pawn scripts, accepts SA-MP clients, gets regular releases and has its own masterlist, which matters now that the old SA-MP list is unreliable. It is not affiliated with Rockstar Games.

What you need

• The server package from the open.mp releases page. Windows uses open.mp-win-x86.zip. Linux has its own archives.
• A gamemode. The package includes a small sample, so you can test before you bring your own.
• UDP port 7777 open to the machine, or whatever port you set.
• Players with GTA San Andreas for PC, the original release. The Definitive Edition does not work, and many Steam copies need downgrading to 1.0 first.

Step 1: Extract and look around

The archive unpacks into a folder like this:

Step 2: Edit config.json

config.json replaces SA-MP's server.cfg. The settings you will change on day one:

{
  "name": "Los Santos Freeroam",
  "max_players": 50,
  "password": "",
  "announce": true,
  "network": {
    "port": 7777
  },
  "pawn": {
    "main_scripts": ["freeroam 1"],
    "side_scripts": ["filterscripts/admin"],
    "legacy_plugins": ["streamer", "mysql"]
  },
  "rcon": {
    "enable": false,
    "password": "a-long-unique-password"
  }
}

Only the keys you change need editing. The real file has many more, so edit the existing one rather than replacing it with this snippet.

One rule that stops a lot of first starts: the server will not run while rcon.password is still the default changeme. Set a real password.

Step 3: Add your gamemode

Put the compiled .amx in gamemodes and its name in main_scripts. If you only have the .pwn source, open it in qawno, change #include <a_samp> to #include <open.mp>, and press F5 to compile. Moving an existing SA-MP server has a few more steps, covered in our guide to moving a SA-MP server to open.mp.

Step 4: Add plugins and includes

Includes (.inc files like sscanf2.inc and streamer.inc) go in qawno/include for compiling. Plugin binaries go on the server:

• Classic SA-MP plugins such as streamer, mysql, crashdetect and PawnPlus go in plugins/ and are listed in legacy_plugins.
• Some plugins now ship as open.mp components, including current builds of Pawn.CMD, Pawn.RakNet and sscanf. Those go in components/ and load on their own.

On Linux, every plugin must be the Linux .so build, not the Windows .dll. Our open.mp plugin fix guide covers the errors you will see otherwise.

Step 5: Open the port and start

Forward UDP 7777 on your router and allow it through the firewall, then start the server. The console prints each script and plugin as it loads and stops with a clear message if something is missing. Our port forwarding guide covers the router side.

Step 6: Join and log in as admin

Players install the open.mp launcher, point it at their GTA San Andreas folder, add your address with the add server button and connect. Players using the original SA-MP client can join too.

Once in game, log in as admin with:

/rcon login a-long-unique-password

Most gamemodes also have their own admin system on top of RCON.

Sizing the server

The open.mp process is small. Memory goes to your gamemode: streamed objects and vehicles, a MySQL or SQLite plugin, and player count. Freeroam and test servers are light, while a roleplay city with heavy mapping needs real headroom. Our RAM guide helps you pick.

The hosted route

Roleplay communities need a city that stays online when the owner logs off. A GamezServers open.mp server runs the Linux build on a fixed address with the port already open. The panel sets the RCON Password (written into config.json for you, so the changeme problem never happens) and the Version, so you can pin a release your gamemode is tested on. config.json, gamemodes, filterscripts and Linux plugins are in the file manager or over SFTP, and a one click backup before each script update gives you an easy way back.

FAQ

What port does open.mp use?

UDP 7777 by default, set with network.port in config.json.

Can SA-MP players join an open.mp server?

Yes. open.mp accepts the regular SA-MP client and its own launcher. Every player needs GTA San Andreas for PC.

Why won't my open.mp server start?

The most common reason is rcon.password still set to changeme. After that, check the console for a missing gamemode or plugin.

How do I get my server on the open.mp masterlist?

Keep announce set to true in config.json, make sure the port is reachable from the internet, and restart.

Can I still use server.cfg?

Yes, but config.json has more settings. Run omp-server --dump-config with no config.json present to convert an old server.cfg.