How to create an FTP account and connect with FTPS

This article will show you how to create an FTP account and how to connect with FTPS.

Note that FTPS is not the same as SFTP. Setting up an SFTP connection requires different steps.

 

Choose an FTP client

First, to connect to your website via FTP to upload/download files, you will need an FTP Client. Here are two popular, free choices:

 

Creating an FTP account

If you need a separate FTP login, you can create one in cPanel. Side note: Your main cPanel username and password can also be used as an FTP login, if you prefer.

Here's how to create an FTP account:

  1. Log in to cPanel.
  2. Go to FTP Accounts.
  3. Enter a username and password and save them. Note: Once the username is set up, you would use the full one given like in this example: user@yoursite.com.
  4. Choose the directory the account should access. If needed, choose the max quota.
  5. Click Create FTP Account.
  6. It will then appear under the FTP Accounts section.

 

Connecting with FTPS (Secure FTP)

Most FTP clients support FTPS, which encrypts your login and file transfers. We'll show you how to connect with FTPS using the two above FTP clients.

 

How to manually connect

After creating your FTP account in cPanel, follow the below:

Using FileZilla:

  1. Open FileZilla and go to File > Site Manager.
  2. Click New Site.
  3. Protocol: FTP - File Transfer Protocol
  4. Host: ftp.yoursite.com or our server/dedicated IP address
  5. Encryption: Require explicit FTP over TLS
  6. Port: 21
  7. Enter your FTP account User and Password.
  8. Click Connect.
  9. If prompted to trust the TLS certificate, choose OK.

Using WinSCP:

  1. Open WinSCP and click New Session.
  2. File protocol: FTP
  3. Encryption: TLS/SSL Explicit encryption
  4. Host name: ftp.yoursite.com or our server/dedicated IP address
  5. Port number: 21
  6. Enter your FTP account User name and Password.
  7. Save the connection.
  8. Click Login.
  9. Accept the TLS certificate if prompted.

 

How to automatically connect using “Configure FTP Client”

After creating your FTP account in cPanel, you can download ready‑made configuration files for popular FTP programs:

  1. In cPanel, go to FTP Accounts.
  2. Find the account you created and click Configure FTP Client.
  3. You’ll see two options:
    1. Manual Settings (shows the hostname, port 21, and FTPS details)
    2. Configuration Files for Windows and Mac FTP clients
  4. Download the config file for your FTP client.
  5. Open it in your FTP program, most clients will automatically import the settings.
  6. After importing, the site will appear in your FTP client’s site list. Select it and click Connect/Login, then enter your FTP password, if prompted.

This is the fastest way for beginners to get the correct FTPS settings without typing everything manually.

 

Explicit vs. Implicit FTPS:

  • Explicit FTPS uses port 21 and is the modern, standard method.
  • Implicit FTPS uses port 990 and should not be used unless your host specifically requires it.

 

If you get connection errors:

  • Make sure your firewall allows outbound connections on port 21.
  • Ensure passive mode is enabled (most clients default to this).
  • Double‑check your username and password or reset them for your FTP account.

 

Uploading Your Files

  1. Connect using your FTP client.
  2. Open the public_html directory or your domain's directory if it's outside of public_html.
  3. Upload your index.html file (this is the default homepage) and any other files. Or, to add a content management system (CMS) automatically using our 1- click tool, see our Softaculous documentation.
  4. Visit https://www.yoursite.com to view your website.

 

Alternative to avoid using an FTP client and setting up a connection

Use File Manager, which is accessed via your web browser. To do so:

  1. Log in to cPanel.
  2. Click on File Manager.
  3. You can upload, download, edit, and manage your files and folders there.
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