October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsSlow PC?RecommendedPC slow today? Run a repair scan before it gets worseResolve common Windows issues and optimize system performance.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
VGSources
Blog

How to Enable Cheats on a Minecraft Server

Java servers use operator permissions; Bedrock Dedicated Server enables cheat commands through allow-cheats=true in server.properties.
Length2 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

It depends on the edition: on a Java Edition dedicated server, grant the right player operator (OP) status from the server console; on Bedrock Dedicated Server, set allow-cheats=true in server.properties. You need the server owner’s or administrator’s access to make either change.

Choose the steps for your server edition

Server How to allow commands What the setting does
Java Edition dedicated server Run op <playername> in the server console. Grants that player operator status, which provides the permissions needed to use commands. The cited Java guidance does not document a Java allow-cheats property.
Bedrock Dedicated Server Set allow-cheats=true in server.properties. Enables cheat commands; the property defaults to false. (Microsoft Learn)

Java Edition: give yourself OP

Commands on a Java multiplayer server are permission-gated. If you control the server, enter this in its server console, replacing the placeholder with the player’s in-game name:

op <playername>

For example, to grant operator status to a player named Alex, enter op Alex. The command is run in the server console, not as a chat command by a player who lacks permission. Minecraft’s official command guide says multiplayer players need a sufficiently high permission level to use commands. (Minecraft: How to Use Commands in Minecraft; Minecraft Help: How to Setup a Minecraft: Java Edition Server)

Bedrock Dedicated Server: enable cheat commands

  1. Open the Bedrock server’s server.properties file.
  2. Find the allow-cheats property and set it to true, so the line reads allow-cheats=true.
  3. Save the file. Apply the change according to your server’s normal configuration process; if the running server does not reflect it, restart the server and check again.

Microsoft documents allow-cheats as a Bedrock Dedicated Server property, with a default of false; setting it to true permits cheat commands. (Microsoft Learn: Bedrock Dedicated Server Properties)

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Minecraft - Nintendo Switch
  • Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
  • Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
  • Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
  • Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
  • Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only

If you do not control the server

You cannot grant yourself server permissions without administrative access. Ask the owner or an administrator to make the relevant change: OP status on Java, or the Bedrock server setting. Minecraft’s multiplayer command guidance requires an adequate permission level. (Minecraft: How to Use Commands in Minecraft)

Why not use /changesetting to enable Bedrock cheats?

Microsoft lists /changesetting allow-cheats <value> as a way to change the setting while a Bedrock server is running. However, that command requires owner permission and cheats, so it is not a reliable way to enable cheats when they are already off. Editing server.properties is the documented setup path. (Microsoft Learn: /changesetting command)

Rank #2
Minecraft: Switch Edition
  • Explore randomly-generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
  • Play in Creative Mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armour to fend off the dangerous mobs
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Dedicated server settings are not the LAN procedure

Instructions for enabling commands in a single-player world or using “Open to LAN” describe different modes, not the Java or Bedrock dedicated-server steps above. Use the configuration or permission method for the server edition you actually run. (Minecraft: How to Use Commands in Minecraft)

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Minecraft - Nintendo Switch
Minecraft - Nintendo Switch
Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures; Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
$29.83
Bestseller No. 2
Bestseller No. 3
Best Value
Minecraft | Java & Bedrock Deluxe Collection | Windows Digital Code
  • DELUXE COLLECTION — Includes Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition, three Bedrock add-ons, three exclusive Character Creator items, and 700 Minecoins.
  • CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
  • EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
  • SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
  • PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
Rank #4
Minecraft | Standard Edition | XBOX Digital Code
  • CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that is unique in every playthrough.
  • EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world full of surprises.
  • SURVIVAL ADVENTURES — Face mysterious foes, travel across varied landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
  • PLAY TOGETHER — Play solo or join friends in local split-screen and cross-platform play across console, mobile, and PC. Online multiplayer supports up to 8 players.
  • COMMUNITY PLAY — Connect with players on community servers, or subscribe to Realms Plus (sold separately) to play with up to 10 friends on a private server.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More quests from Patch Notes

  1. How to Turn On Vibrant Visuals in MinecraftMinecraftBlog3min
  2. How To Create Custom Stickers & Shoutouts In Monster Hunter WildsMonster Hunter WildsBlog20min
  3. How to Get XL Gogoat in Pokemon Legends Z-A (An Extra-Large Gogoat)Pokemon Legends Z-ABlog20min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.