Plugin
Updated
MainWP Dashboard Lock
MainWP Dashboard Lock is a MainWP extension by MainWP that limits who can reach the wp-admin area of your MainWP Dashboard site. It lets you whitelist trusted IP addresses, redirect everyone else away and add a second login step, all without editing server files.
- Version
- 5.1
- Released
- Apr 6, 2026
- Developer
- MainWP
- Type
- WordPress plugin
- Requires
- MainWP
- Licence
- GPL
- Included in
- Every plan, or $4.79 a year on its own
What’s new in MainWP Dashboard Lock 5.1
Version 5.1 · Apr 6, 2026
Latest
- ImprovedPassword fields now show masked placeholders with contextual last-character hints.
- ImprovedRefined admin access rules to better support plugin ZIP uploads and prevent installation issues.
What it does
A MainWP Dashboard holds the connections to every site you manage, so its admin area is a sensitive place. Locking it down usually means editing .htaccess files or changing server settings, which takes time and carries risk if you get it wrong. This extension handles that access control from inside WordPress. You choose which IP addresses may load wp-admin pages and wp-login.php, and visitors from any other address are sent away with a 301 redirect before they see the login screen.
The extension runs within your existing MainWP Dashboard setup, so it needs the MainWP Dashboard plugin in place. Settings are managed through a plain interface with no coding. For team members on changing IP addresses, a secondary username and password adds a separate gate in front of wp-admin. The whitelist has no entry limit, and the admin access rules allow normal tasks such as uploading plugin ZIP files to keep working.
Best for
- Agencies managing many client sites from one MainWP Dashboard
- Freelancers who want their MainWP admin hidden from strangers
- Teams working from fixed office IP addresses
Features
IP address whitelisting
Restrict access to wp-admin pages and wp-login.php so that only the IP addresses you trust can reach the login screen and admin area.
Redirects for blocked visitors
Anyone visiting from a non-whitelisted address is automatically sent away from sensitive admin pages with a 301 redirect, so they never see the dashboard.
Secondary login layer
Set a separate username and password that must be entered before wp-admin opens, which helps people who work from dynamic IP addresses.
Unlimited whitelist entries
Add as many IP addresses as your team needs, so everyone can keep access from the offices, homes or networks they work from.
No server file edits
Access rules are handled by the extension, so you avoid changing .htaccess files or other server configuration to protect your dashboard.
Masked password fields
Password fields in the settings show masked placeholders with a hint of the last character, so you can check what is saved without exposing it.
Works inside MainWP
The extension runs directly within your MainWP Dashboard and needs no extra plugins or external APIs to do its job.
MainWP Dashboard Lock older versions
- 5.0.3Feb 14, 20252 improvements, 2 fixes
- 5.0.2Nov 29, 20242 improvements
- 5.0.1Mar 16, 20241 new
- 5.0Feb 29, 2024
- 4.0.2Apr 18, 2023
Members and buyers of this product can download older versions.
Questions about MainWP Dashboard Lock
Do I need MainWP to use this?
Yes. MainWP Dashboard Lock is an extension for the MainWP Dashboard and works inside your existing MainWP setup. It is meant to protect the WordPress site that runs your MainWP Dashboard, and it is available to both free and Pro MainWP users.
What if my IP address changes often?
You can turn on the secondary login, which asks for an extra username and password before wp-admin opens. This gives people on dynamic IP addresses a way in while keeping a separate barrier in front of the admin area.
What happens when someone outside the whitelist tries to log in?
Visitors from IP addresses that are not on your whitelist are redirected away from wp-admin pages and wp-login.php with a 301 redirect. They do not reach the login form, so they cannot attempt to sign in.
Will it block normal admin tasks like uploading plugins?
The admin access rules are set up to support plugin ZIP uploads so that whitelisted users can keep installing and managing plugins on the dashboard site without running into access problems.
Is MainWP Dashboard Lock free?
The code of MainWP Dashboard Lock is licensed under the GPL, so anyone may use, change and share it. GPL Feast is a paid service: a plan or a single purchase gives you the download and automatic updates. The developer's own support, licence key and online services are not included.
Which version of MainWP Dashboard Lock is this?
Version 5.1, released Apr 6, 2026. New versions appear here when the developer publishes them, and members get them as automatic updates.
How do I update MainWP Dashboard Lock?
Install the free GPL Feast Updater on your site and connect it with your API key. It installs new versions of MainWP Dashboard Lock automatically and keeps a backup, so you can roll back.
What does MainWP Dashboard Lock need?
MainWP Dashboard Lock needs MainWP installed and active.
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