ARK: Survival Evolved is distributed through Steam beta branches, which let you run something other than the current default build, whether that's rolling back to the version before a specific update, or trying an experimental branch early. This is most commonly used to downgrade to preaquatica, the last build before the Aquatica update, usually to keep older mods working while their authors catch up.
Step 1: Find The Branch Name You Want
The full, current list of available beta branches for ARK: Survival Evolved's dedicated server is maintained on SteamDB. The two most commonly used are:
public: the current default build, this is what your server runs unless you've changed it.preaquatica: the last build before the Aquatica update, useful if your mods haven't been updated to support it yet.
Step 2: Change The Server's Beta Branch
- Log into your MintServers panel and Stop your server.
- Open the Game Settings page under Tools in the sidebar.
- Find the Beta Branch field and enter the branch name exactly as it appears on SteamDB (for example,
preaquatica). - Save your changes.
Step 3: Apply The New Branch
- If Auto-update Server is enabled on the Game Settings page, simply start your server, it should pull down the branch you selected automatically.
- If your server doesn't pick up the new branch after a normal restart, check the general Settings tab for a Reinstall option and use that instead.
public) and repeat Step 3.
Step 4: Match Your Client's Branch
A server running a non-default branch will only accept players running the exact same branch. Everyone connecting, including you, needs to switch their own game too:
- Open Steam and go to your Library.
- Right-click ARK: Survival Evolved and choose Properties.
- Open the Betas tab.
- Use the Beta Participation dropdown to select the matching branch.
- Wait for Steam to download the update, then launch the game and connect as usual.
🛠️ Troubleshooting Common Version Change Issues
Players can't connect / version mismatch error:Their Steam client isn't on the same beta branch as the server. Every player needs to set their own Beta Participation to match.World or characters are missing after the reinstall:Restore from the backup you took in Step 1's warning. If you didn't take one, open a support ticket right away, don't make further changes in the meantime.Mods stopped working after switching branches:Not every mod supports every branch. Check the mod's Workshop page for comments about compatibility with the version you switched to.Not sure which branch you're currently on:Check the Beta Branch field on the Game Settings page, an empty orpublicvalue means you're on the current default.
Once your server and every player's client are on the same branch, you're good to go. If anything looks off after switching versions, no worries! Just open a support ticket and our team will help you get it sorted.