FTP access, management and separate accounts

You can transfer files without logging in to cPanel by using a client such as FileZilla. Choose the protocol based on the access you need:

Set up the connection

Open Hosting > your service > Login details to see the server and the user. In your client's site manager, select the protocol from the table, enter the server and use the corresponding password. For SFTP you can also set up an authorised SSH key.

With FTPS, require TLS before sending credentials. If the certificate doesn't match the server name, cancel and check the correct hostname. With SFTP, verify the server's key fingerprint through a trusted channel before accepting it.

The main cPanel password is for its own user; each additional FTP account has its own. If you need to change the main one, see recover access to cPanel.

Create a separate FTP account

In cPanel > FTP Accounts, create the user, set a password and check the Directory and Quota before saving. Copy the full name shown in the list; it usually includes @domain.

The directory sets the top level of access. An account limited to public_html/proyecto can work in that folder and its subfolders, but not in sibling folders. An account on public_html reaches all the websites and files below it.

The FTP quota doesn't increase the hosting's total space. Check both limits if you can't upload a file. An FTP account with write access can change or delete content within its scope: it can't be used as read-only access.

Additional FTP accounts don't use SFTP. Connect them with explicit FTPS; don't switch to unencrypted FTP if the connection fails.

Check and fix failures

Start with a small file in the website's folder. Check that you can download it and that the destination doesn't contain an unexpected extra folder.

• If it doesn't connect, check the server, port, protocol and network.
• If authentication is rejected, check the full username and its password.
• If it connects but doesn't list or transfer over FTPS, check passive mode and the client's network restrictions.
• If it won't let you write, check quota, permissions and directory; don't resort to 777 permissions.

In cPanel > FTP Connections you can see the available sessions and disconnect a specific one. If the client reconnects automatically, also close the connection in the program or remove its access where appropriate.

Remove access

When deleting an FTP account, tell Delete apart from the option that also deletes its files. To revoke access while keeping the website, delete only the account. Then check that the credentials no longer work.

Save a copy before deleting any content. The folder's scope may include an entire website and other necessary files.