How to share access to SFTP

Introduction

Modern versions of cPanel no longer allow plain FTP connections, as FTP is an insecure and outdated protocol. As such, the cPanel FTP Accounts page is no longer available. Instead, you can connect with SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol).

SFTP operates over SSH, which means you may only use your cPanel username to connect. You cannot create additional SFTP accounts. However, you can create SSH keys, which you can give to other users to allow them to connect, without sharing your cPanel password. SSH keys can be revoked at any time.

Note: Providing SFTP or SSH access grants access to all files within your cPanel account. Do not provide SSH keys to anyone you don't trust.

Manage SSH Keys

In cPanel, select SSH Access in the Security section.

Select Manage SSH Keys.

If you already have an existing SSH key, you can select Import Key to import it. If you do not already have an existing SSH key, select Generate a New Key.

Enter a strong password or select Password Generator to generate one. Select Generate Key.

Your key will be generated. Select Go Back to return to the Manage SSH Keys page. You will now see your generated SSH key.

By default, the key is not authorized to access your account. Select Manage then Authorize to authorize the key.

From the Manage SSH Keys page, you can select View/Download to copy or download the key. Provide this key to the user you want to give SFTP access to. The user can then connect using your cPanel username and the key in their SSH client.

If you want to revoke the key in the future, select Manage, then Deauthorize. The key will no longer be valid for SSH or SFTP access to your account.