How To Connect To FTP Using Filezilla
FTP provides a way to connect to your hosting and easily transfer files from your own computer. Filezilla is a free FTP client, but any FTP Client will work similarly. You can download Filezilla
here. Note the installer may offer bundled options which are not necessary.
Note: Only Primary FTP user ( cpanel username) can use SFTP and non-primary FTP accounts will need to use non-ssh FTP protocol
Logging into Filezilla
Primary FTP Login details will be the same as your cPanel Username and Password. For non-primary FTP accounts, see this guide.
Make sure your FTP client uses these connection details:
Port: 21
Protocol: FTP
Encryption: Plain FTP (non-SSL)
Logon Type: Normal
If you have SSH enabled on a cPanel account, use these instead:
Port: 22
Encryption: SFTP
Step 1 - Click on File and open the Site Manager.
Step 2 - Click New Site.
Step 3 - Put in the connection details as per the below image and click Connect. Replace 'yourdomain.net.au' with your domain name.
Note: Instead of 'yourdomain.net.au', you could also use 'ftp.yourdomain.net.au', the server name or the server IP. You would have been sent these in your Hosting welcome email.
Note: If you have SSH enabled, connect using the settings below instead:
Step 4 - Depending on what you enter for the 'Host' entry, you may get this notice:
Note that the hostname was an IP address, which can't have an SSL issued. The provided SSL is *.auserver.com.au, which is valid for this server (vmres01.auserver.com.au). Thus even though Filezilla doesn't pick it up automatically, you are safe to click "Always Trust" and select OK to keep connecting.
Similarly, you may connect via the hostname 'ftp.yourdomain.net.au', but the server could provide you with the certificate for 'yourdomain.net.au'. This happens often when you have a RapidSSL or another paid certificate. As before, read the hostname of the certificate and select OK to continue.
Using Filezilla to transfer files
Once connected via FTP you can interact with the files on your server in a similar way to the File Manager app on your computer. You can copy, create, delete, upload and download as necessary. The most common use of FTP is to upload website files to the server, as seen below. You can also drag and drop files and folders to copy them, and use most other File Manager functions.
Step 1 - After logging in via FTP, you will see two file structures. On the left are the files on your computer, on the right are the files on the server. Click on a folder in the top window to see its contents shown in the bottom window. You can navigate these file structures to find the files you want to transfer, and the directory you want to transfer them into.
Step 2 - Once you have found the file you wish to upload, select it in the bottom window. Right Click on the file (Command+Click on Mac), and select Upload.
Step 3 - If needed you can also upload or download entire directories from the bottom or top window. Right Click on the folder (Command+Click on Mac), and select Download.
