How to connect with FTP and SFTP

FTP lets you move files between your computer and your hosting with an app such as FileZilla. It is quicker than File Manager for large uploads.

Create an FTP account

Your cPanel username and password already work for FTP, with access to your whole account. To give someone access to one folder only:

1. In cPanel, open FTP Accounts.
2. Enter a login name and a strong password.
3. Set the directory, such as public_html, and the quota.
4. Select Create FTP Account. The full username is name@yourdomain.co.za.

Connection settings

• Host: the server hostname from your welcome email
• Username: your cPanel username, or the full FTP account name
• Password: the matching password
• Port: 21
• Encryption: explicit FTP over TLS (FTPS). Avoid plain FTP, which sends your password unencrypted.

SFTP (port 22) uses SSH, which isn't switched on for every plan. If SFTP doesn't connect, use FTPS on port 21. On a VPS, SFTP works with your server login.

Connect with FileZilla

1. Download FileZilla Client from filezilla-project.org.
2. Go to File > Site Manager and select New site.
3. Choose FTP as the protocol and Require explicit FTP over TLS as the encryption.
4. Enter the host, username and password, and select Connect.
5. Accept the server's certificate the first time you connect.

Upload and download files

Your computer is on the left and the server on the right. Go to public_html on the right, then drag files across to upload or download them. FileZilla asks before it overwrites a file, so keep a copy of anything you replace.

If it doesn't connect

• Login incorrect. FTP accounts need the full name, such as name@yourdomain.co.za.
• Connection timed out. Your network may block FTP. Check that FileZilla uses passive mode (the default), or try another network.
• Too many failed logins. The server blocks your IP address for a while. Open a ticket if you stay blocked.
• Certificate warning. Use the server hostname, not your domain name, as the host.

Related guides

• How to manage files with cPanel File Manager
• cPanel overview: a beginner's guide
• How to log in to cPanel