Create and manage FTP accounts in cPanel

FTP accounts let you or a developer upload files to your hosting with a desktop client such as FileZilla. cPanel already has a main FTP login (your cPanel user), but extra accounts are safer: each one can be locked to a single folder and deleted when the job is done.

Before you start

• Access to cPanel. See how to log in.
• The folder the account should reach, for example public_html or public_html/shop.

Create an FTP account

1. Open cPanel → Files → FTP Accounts.
2. In Log In enter a name such as developer and choose the domain. The full username becomes developer@yourdomain.com.
3. Enter a strong password or click Generate. Store it in a password manager.
4. In Directory enter the folder the user may access. cPanel suggests public_html/developer; change it to the folder you really want. The user cannot go above this folder.
5. Set a Quota in MB or leave it Unlimited (the account still counts toward your plan disk limit).
6. Click Create FTP Account.

Find the connection settings

In the account list, click Configure FTP Client next to the account. cPanel shows:

The same box offers ready-made configuration files for FileZilla, Cyberduck and CoreFTP. See connect to cPanel with FileZilla for the full walkthrough.

Change password, quota or delete an account

• Change Password: click it next to the account, enter the new password and save.
• Change Quota: set a new MB limit.
• Delete: choose Delete to remove only the login and keep the files, or Delete Account and Files to also remove its folder. Only use the second option if the folder is not part of your website.

Special FTP accounts

The bottom table lists accounts that cPanel creates automatically: your main cPanel login, the logs account and the anonymous account. They cannot be deleted. Use the main account only yourself; give other people their own restricted logins.

Troubleshooting

530 Login authentication failed

Use the full username including @yourdomain.com, re-check the password and make sure you are connecting to the right server. After several failures the firewall may block your IP; contact support with your IP.

Directory listing fails or hangs

Switch the client to passive mode. Firewalls on home routers often block active mode.

File changes do not appear on the site

Check the FTP account's home directory. A user whose directory is public_html/developer uploads into that subfolder, not the site root.

Next steps

• Connect with FileZilla using FTPS
• Use File Manager in the browser instead
• Use SSH keys and SFTP