This article shows you how to upload a file stored on your computer to an FTP server ("File Transfer Protocol"). Both Windows and Mac systems have a built-in method of accessing an FTP server, but nobody forbids using a third-party client like FileZilla. If you need to connect to an FTP server using an iOS or Android device, you will first need to download and install a dedicated application. It should be noted that, in order to connect to an FTP server, you need to know some information such as the IP address or its URL and that it is not possible to transfer files to a server without having the necessary permissions.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Windows systems
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 2. Launch the "This PC" app
Type the keywords this pc into the "Start" menu, then select the icon This PC, featuring a computer monitor, appeared in the hit list.
Step 3. Go to the Computer tab of the window that appeared
It is located in the upper left of the screen. Its toolbar will appear.
Step 4. Press the Add Network Location button
It is located within the "Network" group of the ribbon of the "This PC" window.
Step 5. When prompted, press the Next button
This will begin the setup procedure for the connection to the FTP server.
Step 6. Select the Choose a custom network location option
It is visible at the top of the dialog box that appeared.
Step 7. Press the Next button
It is located at the bottom of the window.
Step 8. Provide the address of the FTP server you want to connect to. Type it inside the text field located in the center of the dialog box. Normally, an FTP server address has the following format "ftp://ftp.server.com".
- For example, to connect to a test FTP server you can use the following URL ftp://speedtest.tele2.net by typing it in the text field "Internet or network address".
- Some servers do not require the "ftp" prefix to be used in the address. In these cases, typing it will not be able to establish a connection with the server.
Step 9. Press the Next button
It is located in the lower right part of the window.
Step 10. Provide the username of the account to be used to establish the connection with the FTP server under consideration
If the FTP service in question requires authenticated access, you will need to deselect the "Anonymous access" check button and provide the username to be used by typing it in the text field in the center of the window.
If the chosen server does not require authenticated access, you will need to select the "Anonymous access" checkbox and continue
Step 11. Name the FTP server connection
In this case, you can type the name you prefer using the text field that appeared in the center of the window. This information simply serves to identify the connection to the server within the computer.
Step 12. Press the Next buttons successively And End.
Both are located at the bottom right of their respective screens. At this point, the configuration of the connection to the FTP server is complete.
- It may take several seconds (even more than a minute) for the window showing the contents of the FTP server indicated to appear.
- Alternatively, you can access the contents on the FTP server by clicking on the relative icon that appears in the "Network paths" section of the "This PC" window.
Step 13. If prompted, provide your login password
If you have chosen a secure FTP server, at the first connection, you will be asked to enter the relative security password. To complete the connection procedure, enter your password. Otherwise, you will not be able to access the resources on the FTP server.
Step 14. Upload a file to the FTP server
Simply copy and paste it into the newly configured FTP service window. The selected data will be transferred to the server. Remember that this procedure only works if you have permissions to copy data within the server:
- Find the file you want to transfer;
- Select its icon with a mouse click and press the key combination Ctrl + C;
- Open the "This PC" window, select the FTP server connection icon with a double click of the mouse;
- Paste the copied file by pressing the key combination Ctrl + V.
Method 2 of 5: Mac
Step 1. Open a Finder window by clicking the icon
It is blue in the shape of a stylized face and is placed on the System Dock. In this way, the menu Go will be visible at the top of the screen.
Alternatively, you can simply select an empty spot on the Mac desktop
Step 2. Enter the Go menu
It's located at the top of the Mac screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 3. Choose the Connect to Server… option
It is one of the items visible at the top of the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Provide the address of the FTP server you want to connect to. Type it in the "Server Address" text field. Normally the address of an FTP server has the following format "ftp://ftp.server.com".
- For example, to connect to a test FTP server, you can use the following URL ftp://speedtest.tele2.net by typing it in the "Server address" text field.
- Some servers do not require the "ftp" prefix to be used in the address. In these cases, typing it will not be able to establish a connection with the server.
Step 5. Add the created link to your favorites list
If you need to insert the FTP link into your Mac's "Favorites" folder, press the button ＋ visible on the right of the address just entered.
This is an optional step, but if you intend to access the FTP server under consideration frequently, it may be better to add it to your favorites list
Step 6. Press the Connect button
It is blue in color and located in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 7. If prompted, enter the username and password of the account to use to establish the connection
If you are setting up a connection to a secure FTP server you will be asked to provide the relevant login credentials.
If you are not prompted to enter your username and password, you can choose to log in anonymously using the "Guest" account
Step 8. Upload a file to the FTP server
Simply copy and paste it into the newly configured FTP service window. The selected data will be transferred to the server. Remember that this procedure only works if you have the permissions to copy data within the server:
- Locate the file you want to transfer;
- Select its icon with a click of the mouse and press the key combination ⌘ Command + C;
- Open the window relating to the FTP server just configured;
- Paste the copied file by pressing the key combination ⌘ Command + V.
Method 3 of 5: Use an FTP Client for Desktop Systems
Step 1. Know when to use an FTP client
Although Windows operating systems and Mac computers integrate functionality to use the FTP network protocol, these tools often have limitations in use. If you need to transfer a large amount of files and you need to use functions for managing the upload queue or for the automatic resumption of an interrupted transfer, then you must necessarily use an FTP client to connect to the server in question.
Step 2. Download and install the FTP client of your choice
There are tons of FTP clients available, and most of them are free. One of the best known and most used is FileZilla. It is a free and open-source client downloadable directly from the following URL filezilla-project.org.
FileZilla is available for Windows, Linux and Mac systems
Step 3. Create a new connection
After starting the FTP client of your choice, the first step is to create a new profile for connecting to the server in question. In this way, all connection configuration settings will be saved, allowing you to connect to the chosen FTP service quickly and easily in the future.
Step 4. Enter the information about the FTP connection. You will need to provide the server address (for example "ftp://ftp.server.com"), the username and password of the account to use (if requested). Most FTP services use communication port number 21, so you will not need to change this setting unless the documentation for the server you have chosen specifies another value.
- For example, to connect to a test FTP server, you can use the following URL ftp://speedtest.tele2.net by typing it in the server address text field.
- Some servers do not require the "ftp" prefix to be used in the address. In these cases, typing it will not be able to establish a connection with the server.
Step 5. Connect to the indicated FTP server
After creating the connection by entering all the required data, you will be able to establish a connection with the server simply by pressing the button Connect or Save. Inside the section of the FTP client window dedicated to the connection status, you will see all the information relating to the communication between the computer and the indicated server.
Step 6. Go to the FTP server folder where you are authorized to copy data
Many FTP services are configured to allow users to upload files to specific folders only. To find out what these folders are, refer to the documentation of the service you connected to. To access and browse the file system shared by the FTP server in question, use the panel visible on the right of the FTP client window you are using.
Step 7. To browse your computer's file system use the panel visible on the left of the FTP client window
Normally, all FTP clients are equipped with two panels: the one on the left is dedicated to accessing data stored locally on the computer, while the right one allows access to those present on the FTP server. This way you can easily locate the files to upload.
Step 8. Start the data transfer
You can select the file to upload with a double click of the mouse or you can drag it from the left panel to the right panel of the FTP client window in use.
Step 9. Check the data transfer
The progress of the file upload will be displayed in the panel located at the bottom of the FTP client window. Before closing the connection with the server, wait for the data transfer to be complete.
Based on the functionality provided by your FTP client, you will be able to schedule the automatic start of the file transfer by using dedicated upload queues
Method 4 of 5: iOS devices
Step 1. Install the FTPManager application
It is a free program that allows you to access an FTP server directly from the iPhone and transfer data to it. To install FTPManager on an iOS device, access the App Store by clicking the icon
and follow these instructions:
- Push the button Search for;
- Tap the search bar;
- Type in the keyword ftpmanager and press the button Search for;
- Push the button Get located on the right of the "FTPManager" app;
- When prompted, enter your Apple ID password or use Touch ID.
Step 2. Launch the FTPManager app
When the program installation is finished, press the button You open visible on the App Store page dedicated to the application in question or select the icon of the latter visible on the Home of the device.
Step 3. Tap the ＋ icon
It is located in the upper right corner of the screen.
Step 4. Choose the FTP option
It is located at the top of the page. A form for creating a new FTP connection will appear.
Step 5. Provide the FTP address of the server you wish to connect to. Touch the "Host Name / IP" text field located in the "FTP Connection" section and type the address of the FTP server in question. Normally the address of an FTP server has the following format "ftp://ftp.server.com".
- For example, to connect to a test FTP server, you can use the following URL ftp://speedtest.tele2.net by typing it in the "Internet or network address" text field.
- Some servers do not require the "ftp" prefix to be used in the address. In these cases, typing it will not be able to establish a connection with the server.
Step 6. Provide login credentials
If the chosen FTP server requires a login account, enter the relevant username and password in the "LOGIN AS …" section visible at the bottom of the page.
Step 7. Press the Save button
It is located in the upper right corner of the screen. In this way, the connection settings to the specified FTP server will be saved and added to the main screen of the FTPManager app.
The free version of the FTPManager client allows you to save and manage only one server at a time. To delete the configured FTP service and be able to create a new one, press the button Edit located in the upper left corner of the screen, tap the red circular icon located to the left of the FTP server name, then press the trash can button.
Step 8. Select the FTP server connection you just created
Touch the address of the latter visible in the "CONNECTIONS" section of the page. This way the device will connect to the server.
Step 9. Create a new file inside the FTP server
Remember that you can only perform this step if you have the proper permissions to access the service:
- Tap the icon in the shape of ＋ visible at the bottom of the screen;
- Choose the option New Folder or Blank File;
- Name the new folder or file, then press the button Save or Create.
Step 10. Transfer an image to the FTP server
Using an iPhone you will be able to transfer images and videos. Follow these instructions:
- Select the option Photo Library from the main screen of the FTPManager app;
- When prompted, press the button Allow to authorize the program to access the multimedia gallery of the device;
- Select an album;
- Push the button Edit;
- Choose the image or video to upload;
- Push the button Copy to visible at the bottom of the screen;
- Select the FTP connection to the server in question;
- Choose the destination folder and press the button Save.
Method 5 of 5: Android devices
Step 1. Download and install the AndFTP application
It is a free program that allows you to connect to an FTP server using an Android device. To install it on your device you need to log in to Play Store Google by clicking on the following icon
and follow these instructions:
- Tap the search bar;
- Type in the keyword andftp, then tap the entry AndFTP (your FTP client) from the list of results that appeared;
- Push the button Install;
- When prompted, press the button I accept.
Step 2. Start AndFTP
Once the installation is complete, press the button You open located on the Play Store page for the app or tap the AndFTP icon visible in the "Applications" panel of the device.
Step 3. Tap the ＋ icon
It is located at the top of the screen.
Step 4. Provide the FTP address of the server you wish to connect to
Touch the "Hostname" text field and type the address of the FTP server under consideration. In this case, use the following format "server_name.com".
- For example, to connect to a test FTP server, you can use the following URL speedtest.tele2.net by typing it in the indicated text field.
- Unlike most FTP clients, AndFTP does not need the prefix "ftp:" within the server address, adding it would only generate an error message.
Step 5. Provide login credentials
If the chosen FTP server requires a login account, enter its username and password using the "Username" and "Password" text fields.
Step 6. Press the Save button located at the bottom of the screen
Step 7. Name the link
Type the name by which you want to identify the FTP connection you just created, then press the button OK. This way your configuration settings will be saved and you will be redirected to the main application screen.
Step 8. Select the connection to use
Tap the name of the FTP server you just created. This will initiate the connection.
Step 9. If prompted, enter your login information
Type the username and password of the account to use to establish the connection.
If the selected server allows you to use anonymous connections only, type the name anonymous in the "Username" field without entering any password
Step 10. Transfer a file
Remember that without the necessary permissions you will not be able to upload any data to the chosen FTP server. Select the server folder you want to transfer data to, then follow these instructions:
- Tap the phone handset icon at the top of the screen;
- Locate the file you want to upload;
- Press and hold the icon of the chosen item until it is marked with a check mark;
- Tap the icon Uploadshaped like an arrow positioned at the top of the screen;
- When prompted, press the button OK.
