---
title: "Accessing FTP server"
date: "2015-01-08"
category: "ftp"
slug: "accessing-ftp-server"
---

FTP is a protocol for uploading, downloading, and managing file permissions on your hosting account. It provides more flexibility than the File Manager in the [[logging-into-the-control-panel]] and is the recommended method for managing files.

## Login Credentials

FTP uses the same credentials as [[accessing-e-mail]] and [[accessing-terminal]] services. Your login format is: `username@domain`

> **Note:** Some FTP clients interpret `@` as a hostname delimiter. If you encounter issues, replace `@` with `#` (e.g. `username#domain`).

## Supported Protocols

- **FTP**: Unencrypted communication on port 21
- **FTP with Auth TLS**: Encrypted communication (also called "explicit encryption") on port 21
- **SFTP**: FTP over a secure SSH session; requires [[accessing-terminal]] access
- **SCP**: File transfer only over SSH; requires [[accessing-terminal]] access

## Connection Example

Using WinSCP or FileZilla with the following settings:

- **Username:** `myadmin`
- **Domain:** `mydomain.com`
- **FTP login:** `myadmin@mydomain.com` or `myadmin#mydomain.com`
- **Password:** Same as your control panel password ([[resetting-your-password]])
- **Port:** `21`
- **Protocol:** Unencrypted or Auth TLS (explicit encryption)

> **Tip:** If you recently switched hosting providers and DNS has not propagated yet, use the [[what-is-my-server-name]] instead of your domain name. See [[how-long-does-dns-propagation-take]] for details.

![Example application connecting to FTP using WinSCP + encrypted communication.](kb-image:ftp-server-connection-winscp.png)
*Example connection using WinSCP with encrypted communication.*

![Example quick connect settings in FileZilla. No encrypted communication available.](kb-image:ftp-server-connection-filezilla-quickconnect.png)
*Example quick connect settings in FileZilla.*

### TLS Certificate Warning

On first connection with TLS enabled, your FTP client will display a warning about the server's self-signed certificate. This is expected. Click **Yes** or **Proceed** to continue.

![A notice first presented by a self-signed certificate installed on the FTP server.](kb-image:ftp-server-certificate-notice.png)
*Self-signed certificate notice in WinSCP.*

## Recommended FTP Clients

- **Windows:** [WinSCP](http://winscp.net/eng/index.php), [FlashFXP](http://www.flashfxp.com) ($30, supports [FXP](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_eXchange_Protocol)), [WebDrive](http://www.webdrive.com/products/webdrive) ($50, mount FTP as a drive)
- **macOS:** [Cyberduck](https://cyberduck.io), [Transmit](http://www.panic.com/transmit) ($35), WebDrive ($50)
- **Linux:** [gFTP](http://gftp.seul.org/), [FileZilla](https://filezilla-project.org/), [CurlFtpFS](http://curlftpfs.sourceforge.net/) (mount FTP as a drive)

> **Note:** [FileZilla](https://filezilla-project.org/) is a capable client but has historically bundled opt-out adware in its Windows installer via Sourceforge. It works well, but be cautious during installation.
