2 Simple Ways to Get San Andreas Multiplayer Online

Though the 2004 multi-platform smash hit Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was originally sold as a purely single-player title, thanks to the ingenuity of independent modders, it's now possible to play the game with online multiplayer. This wikiHow article teaches you how to install and play Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas multiplayer online.

Playing GTA: SA Multiplayer Online

There are two mods that allow you to play GTA: SA online: San Andreas Multiplayer (SA-MP) and Multi Theft Auto (MTA). Both are for Windows and can be downloaded for free and installed with an executable file. You need a working copy of GTA: SA version 1.0. You can downgrade GTA using a downgrader.

Section 1 of 4:

Downgrade San Andreas

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1
Ensure you have a legitimate copy of the original San Andreas installed. Both SA-MP and MTA are user-created mods that enhance the existing game's functionality. They do not have any functionality on their own. You need to have a working copy of GTA San Andreas version 1.0 installed on your PC. You can purchase and install the latest version of GTA: San Andreas from Steam or from Rockstar Games directly.
- You need the original version of GTA: San Andreas. SA-MP and MTA will not work with the Definitive Edition.
- For best results, make sure you have an unmodded version of GTA: San Andreas. Mods that are already installed may clash with new mods and cause the game to crash.
2
Download a downgrader. Most mods, including SA-MP and MTA, are not compatible with newer versions of GTA: San Andreas. You will need to downgrade the game to version 1.0. To download the tool you'll need, go to downgraders.rockstarvision.com and click Download below the "Grand Theft Auto San Andreas."^{[1]
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Extract the contents of the RAR file. Use WinRAR or 7-Zip to unRAR the contents of the downgrader file you just downloaded.
4
Move the contents of the extracted folder into your GTA: SA game folder. The contents should include a "SA DOWNGRADE" folder, an "Install.bat" folder, and a "jptch.exe" file in the extracted files. Copy all of these files and paste them into the Grand Theft Auto San Andreas game folder for the version you intend to mod.
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Run the "Install.bat" file. Double-click the install.bat file to run it. Allow it a few minutes to do its thing.^{[2]
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- You may even want to make a backup copy of the downgraded Grand Theft Auto San Andreas game folder when you are finished.

Section 2 of 4:

Using SA-MP

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1
Download the SA-MP mod installer. To do so, go to sa-mp.mp/downloads and click one of the mirror download links. SA-MP is an older multiplayer mod. As a result, it has more players and servers. If you are interested in role-playing, SA-MP is the better option. It also has more mods and skins available.^{[3]
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- Note that, in addition to the system requirements for the base copy of San Andreas^{[4]
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- It is recommended that you create a copy of an unmodded version of the game before modding it. To do so, you can create a copy of the game’s game folder.
2
Run the installation file. When your download has completed, run the installation file by finding it in your download directory and double-clicking on it or selecting "Run" or the equivalent option from your browser's download menu. An installation wizard should pop up with simple instructions guiding you through the rest of the process. Follow the prompts to complete the installation of SA-MP.
- During the installation process, you'll be asked to specify the directory in which your copy of San Andreas is installed. The relevant "Destination Folder" text box comes pre-filled with the game's default installation directory, so if you installed San Andreas in the default directory, you won't have to do anything besides click "Install". However, if you installed San Andreas in a different directory, you'll need to locate this directory by clicking the "Browse..." button next to the text box and selecting the game's installation directory.
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Download and install a server client (optional). Besides a valid copy of San Andreas, all you'll need to play online multiplayer is the mod discussed above. However, if you'd like to host online game servers, rather than simply play them, you'll need to download and install an additional server client. The client is available for both Windows and Linux operating systems from sa-mp.mp/create-server.
- Note that the download package that contains the server client also contains the PAWN scripting tools used for creating custom scenarios in SA-MP. See the SA-MP wiki for more information on scripting.
4
Run the SA-MP file. After installing the main mod client and/or the optional server client, you're ready to play! The automatic installation process should have created a shortcut on your desktop named "San Andreas Multiplayer". Simply click this icon to launch the mod. If you don't see the shortcut, you may need to check for the San Andreas Multiplayer file in your main San Andreas directory.
- When you run this file, a browser window titled "San Andreas Multiplayer" should launch. In the next section, we'll use this browser to find and join a game.
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Find an appealing server. After launching the SA-MP browser window, click the "Internet" tab at the bottom of the window to populate the window with game servers. From here, you're able to browse the list of available servers by using the scroll buttons.
- Note that you can also filter results by map, game mode, and several other criteria by using the tools in the "Filter" section at the bottom left of the window.
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Join a server by right-clicking and selecting "Connect". When you're ready to play, select the server you want to join from the master list by clicking on it, then right-click and select the "Connect" option. If all goes well, you'll be connected to the game server, and you'll be able to start playing immediately.
- Note that some private servers (usually created for play among friends or groups of people who know each other) are password-protected. If you don't know the password to the server, you won't be able to join.
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Play the game. From this point forward, you'll be playing in one of many online scenarios and interacting with other SA-MP players. The type of game you play and the quality of your experience is up to you. While SA-MP is home to dozens of custom game modes, some of the most common are listed below:
- DM (Deathmatch): Players compete (in teams or individually) to see who can kill their enemies the greatest number of times.
- CTF (Capture the Flag): Teams of players attempt to score points by stealing the flags from each other's home bases and returning them to their own.
- Freighter: One team guards a secure base, while the other team attempts to infiltrate.
- Moneygrub/Land Grab: Players compete to acquire the most wealth and/or real estate.
- Cops and Robbers (aka Cops N Gangs): Players are grouped into teams of criminals and police and compete in a variety of objectives (for instance, one scenario may have the teams both trying to capture the same van).
- Free roam: No objectives! Simply explore the landscape at your leisure.
- ...and more!
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Familiarize yourself with SA-MP's interface while you play. While the actual core gameplay of SA-MP is very similar, if not identical, to single-player San Andreas gameplay, certain aspects of the mod's interface can be confusing to first-timers. Some of the interface changes you may want to make note of are:
- The chatbox, located in the upper-left corner of the screen, enables players in the game to engage in text chat. Use the T or F6 key to chat. Toggle the chatbox on and off with F7.
- The kill info window, located on the right side of the screen, provides information about each player's in-game deaths. The window shows who has killed whom, in addition to the method of death. Toggle the window on and off with F9.
- The class selection screen, which is the first thing you see when you begin your game. On this screen, you can choose your character's skin or appearance. Depending on the game mode, the skin you select may affect which team you are on or your role in the game.

Section 3 of 4:

Using Multi Theft Auto

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1
Download the mod from the Download page. To do so, go to multitheftauto.com and click Download. Then select your version of Windows. MTA is a newer mod than SA-MP. It has a built-in server browser that makes finding communities easier. Many players also report that it has lower latency and smoother gameplay. It also has a built-in map editor and scripting options.
- MTA requires about 100 MB of storage space. You may also need some additional storage space for server downloads.
2
Run the MTASA executable file. You will be guided through the installation process. During the process, you will be asked to select a language, agree to the license agreement, select which options you want to install, select an install location for the MTA mod, and select your GTA: San Andreas game folder.^{[5]
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- When asked to select which options you want to install, you can uncheck DirectX if you already have it installed. Additionally, you can uncheck "Dedicated Server" if you do not plan on hosting a server on your computer. You only need to install this if you want to host a server.
3
Double-click the MTA icon. You can find it in the Windows Start menu or on your desktop, if you created a desktop shortcut. This will launch GTA: San Andreas with the MTA mod. First, you will see the GTA: San Andreas title screen, followed by the MTA menu screen.
- The first time you launch the game, it may take a while to load.
- If you have multiple monitors, you’ll be asked to select a device. You need to select your graphics card and your screen resolution.
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Set an online nickname. The first thing you’ll want to do is to set an online name that will appear to other players. To do so, click Settings and then click the Multiplayer tab. Enter your nickname in the bar at the top.
- Additionally, you can click the option to save server passwords, so you don’t have to enter them each time you enter a server.
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Connect to a server. If you want to connect to any random server, click Quick Connect on the MTA menu screen. If you want to connect to a specific server, click Server Browser. Select a server, and then click Connect at the top. You may need to enter a password. You can also enter a specific server name or address in the bar at the top. This will connect you to the game.

Section 4 of 4:

Troubleshooting

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Another common problem that can prevent SA-MP and MTA from running results from compatibility issues with other mods. Running several mods at once can cause conflicting modifications to the game's code, which can make the game unstable and prone to crashing or even prevent it from loading in the first place. The easiest way to work around this issue is usually to disable or uninstall the offending mods before running SA-MP.
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For connectivity problems, adjust your firewall settings. Firewalls are great for protecting your computer from viruses, malware, and other online hazards, but they can be a serious pain when you're trying to get online games to work. By restricting the types of traffic that can flow into and out of your computer, certain firewall settings can prevent SA-MP and MTA from connecting to game servers. Unfortunately, because your situation may vary depending on your firewall and the settings you've chosen for it, there's no one single solution that will solve all connectivity problems. Consult your firewall's maker for more information.
- Common connectivity problems include not being able to see any servers in the SA-MP browser window and the game stopping at the "Connecting to ip:port..." message when connecting to a game.
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If other players' nametags are invisible, get a new graphics card. Some low-end PCs, particularly those with hard drive-integrated graphics cards, rather than separate, dedicated graphics cards, have difficulty displaying all the graphical information in SA-MP. One common symptom of this is that other players' nametags are rendered invisible. Because this problem is caused by an inherent lack of graphical processing power in the computer itself, a hardware upgrade is the only definitive fix. Compared to the price of a new graphics card, simply ignoring this problem may be preferable.
- Note that some game modes can have nametags disabled as an aspect of the gameplay.

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Question

How do I download GTA:SA?

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You can buy it from the Rockstar Games Website or you can search for a free download on Google.

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Can I play the original GTA SA even after installing the multiplayer mod?

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Yes, it will just create a folder in the GTA SA directory, it will not affect your single player files.

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Which is the best free roam server for GTA SA multiplayer?

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UIF (United Islands Freedom) is great for free roam, but also has some great game modes.

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