Managing FTP Accounts in cPanel

Exact Hosting web hosting plans include File Transfer Protocol (FTP) access so you can upload, download, and manage your website's files. This article shows you how to add an FTP account, change an existing FTP password, and find the FTP server details you need to configure an FTP client.

About FTP accounts in cPanel

FTP is a long-standing protocol for moving files between your computer and your web server. Once you create an FTP account in cPanel, you can connect with any third-party FTP client (such as Cyberduck) and manage your website files in a drag-and-drop interface. This is especially useful for uploading larger files or moving many files at once.

To connect from an FTP client, you need four pieces of information: the FTP server name, the FTP port, the full FTP username, and the password.

Before you begin

• An active Exact Hosting cPanel hosting plan. FTP accounts are managed inside cPanel.
• A third-party FTP client installed on your computer. Cyberduck, FileZilla, and Transmit are common choices.
• The directory you want the FTP user to access. Decide whether the user needs full account access or just one folder, such as /public_html.

Step 1: Open the FTP accounts area in cPanel

All FTP user management happens inside the FTP Accounts interface in cPanel.

1. Log in to the Exact Hosting client dashboard.
2. Select Services, then click My Services.
3. Choose your web hosting plan.
4. Click Login to cPanel.
5. Select the FTP Accounts icon.

Step 2: Add a new FTP account

Each FTP account has its own login, password, and home directory. The FTP username is shown in email format (for example, user@yourdomain.com) — that is the full username you enter in your FTP client.

1. In the Add FTP Account section, enter a login name, a strong password, and confirm the password.
2. In the Directory field, set the FTP user's home directory. To restrict the user to your website's public folder, set this to public_html.
3. Optionally set a quota to limit how much disk space this user can use.
4. Click Create FTP Account.

Step 3: Change an existing FTP password

Reset the password whenever you suspect it has been shared or compromised, or when a developer who had access no longer needs it.

1. In the FTP Accounts list, find the account and click Change password.
2. Enter a new password (or use the password generator) and click Change password to save.

Step 4: Find your FTP server connection details

Your FTP client needs the server name and port to connect.

• FTP server name. Use the hostname from your browser's address bar while you're signed in to cPanel (for example, servername.exacthosting.com). You can also use your domain name once it points to the hosting IP.
• FTP port. Use port 21 for standard FTP on Exact Hosting servers.
• Username. The full FTP username, including the @yourdomain.com suffix.
• Password. The password you set when creating the account.

Next steps

• Manage your files inside cPanel. See File Manager Overview for an in-browser alternative to FTP.
• Find your cPanel server name and login URL. See Locating cPanel Server Information.
• Back up your files before making large changes. See Creating a Full Backup Using Backup Wizard.

Questions? Contact Exact Hosting Support.