Running your own server San Andreas Multiplayer (SA-MP) on a smartphone or tablet under control Android is not a trivial task, but quite feasible. Many users mistakenly believe that this requires a PC or VPS, but modern mobile devices with multitasking and support Termux allow you to deploy a game server even on a phone. The main thing is to choose the right software, configure the network and take into account the limitations of the mobile platform.

In this article we will analyze all the stages: from preparing the device to fine-tuning game modes. You will learn what applications you need to emulate a server environment, how to get around common errors when running on Android 12+, and what tricks will help optimize performance. We will pay special attention to security issues - after all, an open game server on a mobile device requires additional protection from DDoS and unauthorized access.

Before you begin, please note: an Android server is suitable for testing or a small circle of players (up to 15-20 people), but will not replace full-fledged hosting for public projects with hundreds of connections. Mobile processors are not designed to withstand heavy loads for long periods of time, and operating system limitations can lead to sudden connection dropouts. However, for personal use or learning how to administer SA-MP, this method is ideal.

1. Device requirements and preliminary preparation

Not every Androiddevice is capable of stably running a server SA-MP. Minimum requirements to run:

  • 📱 Processor: 8-core (for example, Snapdragon 660 or higher, Mediatek Helio G80+). Single-core chips like Snapdragon 425 will not support even the minimum load.
  • 🧠 RAM: from 4 GB (6 GB or more recommended for modes with 10+ players). On devices with 2-3 GB, the server will constantly crash due to lack of memory.
  • 🗃️ Memory: 2 GB of free space (server files + cache take up ~1.5 GB). Memory card microSD is not suitable - you need internal memory.
  • 🔋 Battery: capacity from 4000 mAh. The server drains the battery 2-3 times faster than normal use.
  • 🌐 Network: stable connection to Wi-Fi 5 (or 4G/5G with low ping). mobile data may block incoming connections.

Before installing the server, complete the required steps:

  1. Update Android to the latest version (current as of 2026 Android 14/15). Older versions may not support the necessary commands in Termux.
  2. Disable power-saving modes in the battery settings for applications Termux and SA-MP Server.
  3. Make sure the device is unlocked root access (not necessary, but will make setting up ports easier). Without root access, you will have to use workarounds.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with processors Exynos (for example, Samsung Galaxy S21) there may be problems with emulation x86-commands. In this case, you will need to use special server builds under ARM64.
📊 What Android device do you have?
Middle class smartphone
Flagship smartphone
Tablet
Device with root access
I don’t know

2. Installing Termux and setting up the environment

Termux is a terminal emulator for Androidthat will allow you to run Linux commands and install packages necessary for the server. Download it from the official repository F-Droid (the version from Google Play is outdated and does not support all functions).

After installation, run the following commands in the terminal in order:

pkg update && pkg upgrade -y

pkg install wget proot-distro -y


proot-distro install ubuntu


proot-distro login ubuntu

These commands:

  • Update packages Termux up to the latest versions.
  • Install proot-distro a tool for creating an isolated Linux environment (analogue chroot).
  • Deploy a lightweight version Ubuntu inside Android.

Now you are in a virtual Ubuntu system. Here you need to install dependencies for the server:

apt update && apt upgrade -y

apt install lib32z1 lib32ncurses6 lib32bz2-1.0 -y


wget https://github.com/Zeex/samp-server/archive/refs/heads/master.zip


unzip master.zip


cd samp-server-master

⚠️ Attention: If the command unzip does not work, install it separately: apt install unzip -y. Also check that you have enough space on your device - unpacking the archive requires ~1 GB.

Update Termux packages|Install proot-distro and Ubuntu|Download the archive with the SA-MP server|Unpack the archive into your home directory|Install lib32 dependencies-->

3. Starting the server and basic configuration

The directory samp-server-master contains all the necessary files. For the first start, use the command:

./samp03svr

The server will start with default settings on the port 7777. However, for full operation you need to edit the configuration file server.cfg. Open it in a text editor nano:

nano server.cfg

Minimum settings that need to be changed:

Parameter Default value Recommended value Explanation
hostname SA-MP Server MyAndroidSAMP Server name that players will see
rcon_password changeme Your Complex Password123 Password for remote administration
maxplayers 50 10 Maximum players (on Android it is better to limit)
port 7777 7777 or another Connection port (must be open)
gamemode0 grandlarc 1 freeroam 1 Default game mode

After editing, save the file (Ctrl+O → Enter → Ctrl+X) and restart the server. If everything is configured correctly, a message will appear in the terminal:

[xx:xx:xx] Server Plugins

[xx:xx:xx] ---------------


[xx:xx:xx]  Loaded 0 plugins.



[xx:xx:xx]


[xx:xx:xx] Number of vehicle models: 0

This means that the server is running, but without game modes and vehicles yet. They must be added separately.

💡

To prevent the server from closing when Termux is minimized, use the command nohup ./samp03svr &. This will start the process in the background.

4. Setting up ports and forwarding connections

The hardest part is making sure players can connect to your server from outside. By default Android blocks incoming connections, so you need to:

  1. Open a port on the device: Use the application NetGuard or iptables (requires root). Command to allow a port 7777: 
    iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 7777 -j ACCEPT
  2. Configure port forwarding to router: Go to the router control panel (usually 192.168.1.1) and in the section Port Forwarding add a rule:
    • 🔗 External port: 7777
    • 🔗 Internal IP: IP of your Android device on the local network (you can find out with the command ifconfig in Termux)
    • 🔗 Internal port: 7777
    • 🔗 Protocol: TCP
  • Check the external IP: Find it on the website 2ip.ru and pass it on to players for connection as your_ip:7777.

    • If you mobile data (4G/5G), port forwarding is impossible - operators block incoming connections. In this case, there are two options:

    • 📶 Use NGrok or Cloudflare Tunnel to create a tunnel (free, but with traffic restrictions).
    • 🔄 Connect to Wi-Fi with a white IP address (for example, home Internet with a real IP, not a gray one 192.168.x.x).
    ⚠️ Attention: When using a public IP, your device becomes vulnerable to attacks. Be sure to set a strong password for RCON (rcon_password) and limit the number of connection attempts in server.cfg (parameter rcon_attempts 3).
    How to find out if the port is open?

    To check, use the command in Termux:

    nc -zv your_external_ip 7777

    If the port is open, you will see a message. If not, check your router and firewall settings. Connection succeeded. If not, check your router and firewall settings.

    5. Installing game modes and plugins

    No game modes server SA-MP useless - players will not be able to interact with the world. The most popular modes:

    • 🎮 Freeroam: Free movement on the map without rules.
    • 👮 Roleplay (RP): Role-playing game with economy, jobs and factions.
    • 🏁 Deathmatch (DM): Combat modes. with weapons and tasks.
    • 🚗 Drift/Stunt: Racing and stunts on vehicles.

    Download the mode you like from official resources (for example, SA-MP forums) and unpack it into a folder gamemodes inside the server directory Example structure:

    /samp-server-master

    ├── gamemodes
    

    │   ├── freeroam.pwn
    

    │   ├── freeroam.amx
    

    │   └── ...
    

    ├── scriptfiles
    

    └── server.cfg

    To compile .pwnfiles into .amx use PAWNO (install it in Termux via pkg install pawno). After compilation, update server.cfgby specifying the new mode:

    gamemode0 freeroam 1

    To expand the functionality, install plugins:

    • 🔧 Streamer Plugin: Optimizes object loading and reduces lags.
    • 📊 MySQL Plugin: Needed for RP servers with a database.
    • 🎵 Audio Plugin: Adds background music and sound effects.
    💡

    Before installing plugins, always check their compatibility with the server version. Some modules require additional libraries (for example libmysqlclient for MySQL).

    6. Optimizing performance on Android

    Mobile devices are not designed to work as servers around the clock, so you need to minimize the load:

    • 🔄 Limit FPS: In server.cfg install fpslimit 30 (by default 50, which heats up the processor a lot).
    • 🧹 Disable unnecessary plugins: Each additional module increases memory consumption.
    • ❄️ Use cooling: When the server is running for a long time, place the device on a metal surface or use a cooler.
    • 🔋 Connect charging: The server discharges the battery even in standby mode.

    To monitor the load, install in Termux utility htop:

    pkg install htop

    htop

    If CPU load exceeds 80% for a long time, the server will lag. In this case:

    1. Reduce the number of slots (maxplayers).
    2. Disable complex scripts (for example, dynamic weather).
    3. Restart the server with the command killall samp03svr && nohup ./samp03svr &.
    ⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi s MIUI) the system aggressively closes background processes. To keep Termux running continuously, add it to the battery optimization exceptions and use the application Don't Kill My App.

    7. Server security and protection

    Public SA-MP server on Android is a tasty target for attackers. Main threats:

    • 🛡️ DDoS attacks: Overloading the server with requests leading to shutdown.
    • 🔓 RCON hacking: If the password is weak, the attacker will gain full control.
    • 📂 Data theft: Through vulnerabilities in plugins, you can gain access to device files.

    Protection measures:

    1. Change standard ports: Instead 7777 use, for example, 27015 or 19132.
    2. Configure a firewall: Allow connections only from trusted networks: 
      iptables -A INPUT -p tcp -s 192.168.1.0/24 --dport 7777 -j ACCEPT

      iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 7777 -j DROP

    3. Update the server: Monitor patches on official website.
    4. Use VPN: For example, WireGuard in Termux to encrypt traffic.

    To protect against DDoS connect the server to Cloudflare Spectrum (free for small projects). This hides your real IP and filters malicious traffic.

    tar -czvf backup.tar.gz samp-server-master

    File backup.tar.gz copy to the cloud or PC.-->

    8. Connecting players and administration

    For players to be able to join your server, they need to:

    1. Download SA-MP client for Android (for example, SA-MP Mobile from Google Play).
    2. Enter the IP address of your server in the connection field in the format your_ip:port.
    3. If the server is protected by a password, specify it in the connection settings.

    To administer the server directly from your phone:

    • 📱 Use RCON-commands in Termux: 
      rcon login your_password

      rcon say Hello, players!
      

      rcon kick 0

    • 🖥️ Connect via SA-MP RCON Tool on a PC (if the server is accessible from the Internet).
    • 📊 Install WebAdmin —a web panel for managing the server via a browser.

    Useful RCON commands:

    Command Description Example
    rcon say Send a message to all players rcon say Server restart in 5 minutes!
    rcon kick Kick a player by ID rcon kick 2
    rcon ban Ban a player by IP rcon ban 192.168.1.100
    rcon gamemode Change game mode rcon gamemode drift
    rcon loadfs Reload scripts rcon loadfs

    If the server is not visible in the list of public servers SA-MPcheck:

    • Is it open port on the router.
    • Is the connection blocked by an antivirus or firewall on the device.
    • Is it specified correctly? hostname in server.cfg.

    Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

    Can Is it possible to run an SA-MP server on Android without root access?

    Yes, but with limitations. Without root, you will not be able to open ports directly, so you will have to use NGrok or connect only via local network. There may also be problems with background work Termux —the system will close it to save battery.

    How many players can the server support on a smartphone?

    Depends on the hardware:

    • 📱 2-4 players: A medium smartphone (for example, Redmi Note 10).
    • 📱 5-10 players: Flagship smartphone (Snapdragon 888+ or Dimensity 1200+).
    • 📱 10-20 players: Tablet with active cooling (for example, Samsung Tab S8).

    If the limit is exceeded, the server will begin to lag or crash.

    How to make the server visible in the public SA-MP list?

    To do this, you need to register the server on official website and add it to the list via SA-MP Server List Manager. However, public servers on Android are not recommended - they quickly become a target for attacks. It is better to limit yourself to invitations via IP.

    Is it possible to use modified clients (for example, SA-MP Cleo)?

    Technically yes, but this violates the rules of most servers. If you are an admin, you can allow mods in server.cfg (parameter allowadminteleport 1), but this increases the risk of cheating. For protection, install anti-cheat plugins like SACNR or YSF.

    How to transfer a server from Android to a PC or VPS?

    Copy the entire folder samp-server-master to the new host and install dependencies:

    1. On PC with Windows use SA-MP Server Package.
    2. On Linux/VPS, run the same commands as in Termux, but without proot-distro.
    3. Update the IP address in server.cfg and restart the server.

    Players will be able to connect without re-registration.