Want to grant admin to an Xbox/Game Pass player on your Valheim server? Follow this clear, no-fluff guide. In minutes, your Xbox friend will run admin commands safely.
-crossplay)-crossplay to the server launch arguments. Save, then hit the green “Restart” button to apply. In the console, you should see “PlayFab” lines and often a “Join code” when it’s working. If you don’t see PlayFab mentions or a join code, the flag wasn’t applied: re-check the arguments and restart again. Ensure UDP ports 2456, 2457, and 2458 are open on the server side (handled automatically on quality hosting).received local Platform ID Xbox_2535416401464117. Use the console search if needed and scroll slowly. If nothing shows up, confirm the player used the correct join code and that both server and client versions match.Xbox_, for example Xbox_2535416401464117, with no extra spaces. Keep the Xbox_ prefix intact. Store it in your clipboard or a notepad for the next step. If you only see a long numeric SteamID (no Xbox_), that’s a Steam player—wait for the Game Pass user to join.adminlist.txt/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim (you may see it as /home/container/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim). Open adminlist.txt. Paste the XboxID on a new line (one admin per line), for example Xbox_2535416401464117, then click “Save”. If the file doesn’t exist, create it with the exact name adminlist.txt in that folder.devcommands, then a simple command like save; if it runs without errors, admin is active.adminlist.txt again, delete the line containing their Xbox_..., and save. Restart the server to apply. Have them reconnect to drop their rights. If they still have access, check you edited the correct file and there’s no trailing space on the line.C:\XboxGames\Valheim\Content\. Right-click valheim.exe > “Create shortcut”. Right-click the shortcut > “Properties” > “Shortcut” tab > in “Target”, append a space then -console after the path, e.g., "C:\XboxGames\Valheim\Content\valheim.exe" -console. Click “OK”, launch the game via this shortcut, press F5 to open the console, type devcommands, then your admin commands (e.g., kick PlayerName, save).Keep adminlist.txt tidy: one admin per line, no spaces. Limit admins (2–3 max) to prevent mistakes and abuse. Keep server and clients updated; PlayFab crossplay is version-sensitive. Run regular save and scheduled restarts for stability. Never share your Join code publicly; rotate it if you suspect a leak.
Confirm -crossplay is in launch args, restart, and wait for PlayFab lines on boot. Make sure the player joined using the correct Join code and that versions match. Have them fully close Valheim and relaunch via the shortcut with -console. Clear the console and try again to spot the line easier.
adminlist.txt but gets “You are not admin”Ensure the line includes the Xbox_ prefix with no extra characters. Save the file and restart the server. The player must reconnect after restart. Double-check you edited the correct path /.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim.
adminlist.txt if the folder looks empty?Start the server once: Valheim generates folders/files on first run. If it’s still missing, create it manually (exact name: adminlist.txt) in /.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim. Remember Linux is case-sensitive.
After devcommands, try save (force a world save), players (list players), kick PlayerName (kick), ban PlayerName (ban). If a command fails, it’s usually missing admin rights or a typo.
Done! Note your admin IDs and keep a backup of adminlist.txt. Keep this guide handy for quick edits the next time you add or remove an admin.