An FTP account lets you upload files directly to your hosting server without using a web browser. cPanel's File Manager is fine for small files, but for large uploads, bulk transfers or granting limited access to a developer, creating a separate FTP account is more practical.
1. Creating an FTP Account in cPanel
- Log in to cPanel.
- In the top search box, type ftp and click the FTP Accounts tool. (Alternatively, access it from the Files section.)
- In the Log In field, enter the FTP username (e.g.
designer). The full username is combined with your domain:designer@yoursite.com. - Select the relevant domain from the Domain menu.
- Enter a strong password in Password, or generate one with Password Generator. The strength indicator should be green.
- The Directory field is automatically filled as
public_html/designer— this is the highest folder the user can access, and they can't go outside it. To grant access to the whole site, set this field topublic_html. - Set a disk quota (in MB) in the Quota field, or check Unlimited.
- Click Create FTP Account.
public_html — including other sites on your account — becomes accessible.
2. Connection Information
After the FTP account is created, click the Configure FTP Client button to download ready-made configuration files for FileZilla, Cyberduck or WinSCP. For manual connections, use the following:
- Server (Host):
ftp.yoursite.comor your hosting server's hostname (found in your setup email). - Username:
designer@yoursite.com(must be written in the full form). - Password: The password you set when creating the account.
- Port:
21(for FTP / FTPS).
3. FTP, FTPS, SFTP — Which Should You Choose?
The difference among the three protocols is security:
- FTP (port 21): Password and data are sent in plaintext. Don't use on public networks.
- FTPS (port 21, Explicit TLS): The TLS-encrypted version of FTP. In FileZilla, enable it by selecting "Require explicit FTP over TLS" as the encryption type. Accounts created with the FTP Accounts tool support this.
- SFTP (port 22): Runs over SSH; the most secure option. You can only connect with your main cPanel account's username and password; additional FTP accounts cannot log in via SFTP.
4. Changing Password and Deleting an Account
The FTP accounts you've created are listed on the FTP Accounts page:
- To change the password: Click Change Password next to the account, set a new password and save.
- To edit the quota: Use the Change Quota button.
- To delete the account: Click Delete. In the dialog, Delete Account preserves the files; Delete Account and Files deletes the folder and all files inside.
5. Special FTP Accounts
The Special FTP Accounts section at the bottom of the page lists system accounts
automatically created by cPanel. The main one is the master FTP account, which shares the same
username/password as your cPanel account and has access to the entire home/ directory.
These accounts cannot be deleted, and their passwords are automatically updated when the
cPanel account password is changed.
If you get an error when connecting via FTP, first reset your password and try again; if the issue persists, open a support ticket and share your connection log.