Can’t use community nodes on n8n Cloud — no option to enable as admin

Questions
1

Describe the problem/error/question

I’m using n8n Cloud, but I can’t use community nodes.
When I try to search or install a node like Apify, I get a message saying:

“Please contact an administrator to install this community node.”

However, even though I’m the admin of the workspace, there’s no option anywhere to enable, install, or update community nodes in the Cloud interface.

I’ve checked the workspace settings and environment variables, but didn’t find any toggle related to community nodes.

I’d like to confirm:

  1. Does n8n Cloud support community nodes?

  2. If yes, how can I enable or request access to them?

  3. If not, what’s the recommended workaround (e.g. Function Node, HTTP Request, or self-hosted)?

What is the error message (if any)?

“Please contact an administrator to install this community node.”

Please share your workflow

(Not applicable — this issue occurs in the node list UI, not in a specific workflow.)

Share the output returned by the last node

(Not applicable — this issue is unrelated to node execution.)

Information on your n8n setup

  • n8n version: Cloud (latest)
  • Database: Default (managed by Cloud)
  • n8n EXECUTIONS_PROCESS setting: default (main)
  • Running n8n via: n8n Cloud
  • Operating system: macOS (accessing via browser: Chrome latest)

Thanks for your help :folded_hands:
— Mira

2

Cloud users can install community nodes directly from the canvas. However you can only install n8n verified nodes. If Apify isn’t verified, you can’t install it. However you can still use an HTTP Request node. In the end, most nodes are basically just an HTTP request.

Self-hosters can download any community node because they control the server. n8n Cloud doesn’t allow this for security concerns.

3

Have the same issue. This is a nonsensical error message. At the very least it should say Please contact an owner to install this, but I don’t find that satisfactory either.

I have a team that is in multiple timezones, so it’s a pain if only the owner can install community nodes in the GUI. All Admins should be able to.