Creating and Managing FTP Accounts Print

Use a dedicated FTP account when you want to give a developer or designer access to only part of your hosting account.

Create an FTP account

1. In cPanel, open Files → FTP Accounts.
2. Enter a username and choose the domain from the dropdown.
3. Set a strong password (use the password generator).
4. Set the Directory — this is what the account can access. For a single site, use public_html/yourdomain.com. Leaving it blank gives access to the whole account.
5. Set a quota, or choose Unlimited.
6. Click Create FTP Account.

Connection settings

• Host: yourdomain.com (or the server hostname)
• Username: the full username shown in cPanel, usually user@yourdomain.com
• Port: 21 (FTP / FTPS) or 22 (SFTP)
• Encryption: "Require explicit FTP over TLS" is recommended

Managing existing accounts

From the same page you can change a password, change the quota, or delete an account. Deleting an FTP account never deletes the files it could access.

Troubleshooting

• Connection times out — switch your client to passive mode; active mode fails behind most routers.
• Login refused after several tries — the firewall may have blocked your IP. Open a ticket with your IP address.
• Cannot see your files — check the account’s home directory. A restricted account starts inside its own folder.

Delete FTP accounts for contractors as soon as the work is finished.