An FTP account lets you (or a web designer) upload and manage your website's files with an FTP program such as FileZilla. This guide shows you how to create an FTP account in cPanel, choose which folder it can reach, and find the settings you need to connect. Your Instant Access Internet Services plan includes up to 10 FTP accounts.
Do you need a separate FTP account?
You can already connect over FTP with your main cPanel username and password - that login can reach every file in your account. Create a separate FTP account when:
- You're giving access to a designer or developer and don't want to share your cPanel password.
- Someone only needs access to one folder (for example a single subdomain or an uploads folder).
- You want to be able to remove someone's access later without changing your own password.
How to create an FTP account in cPanel
- In cPanel, go to Files > FTP Accounts.
- Under Add FTP Account, enter a name in the Log In box, for example
designer. - Choose your domain from the Domain menu. The full username becomes
designer@example.com. - Enter a password in Password and Password (Again), or click Password Generator to create a strong one. Save the password somewhere safe.
- Set the Directory - the folder this account can reach (see the next section). This is the most important setting.
- Set a Quota (a disk space limit for uploads) or choose Unlimited. Your account's overall disk limit still applies either way.
- Click Create FTP Account.
The new account appears in the FTP Accounts table further down the page.
Choosing the right directory
cPanel automatically fills the Directory box with a new folder named after the login, such as public_html/designer. That's rarely what you want - it creates an empty folder, and anyone logging in sees nothing but that folder.
- Access to the whole website: change the directory to just
public_html. - Access to one subdomain or folder: enter that folder, for example
public_html/blog. - A private drop-box folder: use a folder outside
public_html, such asuploads-from-client, so the files can't be viewed on the web.
The account can see the folder you choose and everything inside it, but nothing above it. You can't change the directory later - to change it, delete the FTP account and create it again.
FTP connection settings
Click Configure FTP Client next to the account in the table to see its settings. In short:
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Host / server | secure.instantaccess.net (recommended for encrypted FTPS) |
| Username | The full FTP username, for example designer@example.com |
| Password | The password you set |
| Port | 21 |
| Encryption | Explicit FTP over TLS (FTPS) |
Use secure.instantaccess.net as the host. Encrypted FTP (FTPS) works on port 21, and the server's valid security certificate is issued for that name - using your own domain instead causes a certificate name warning. Full FileZilla instructions are in How to Connect to Your Website with FileZilla (FTPS).
Change the password, quota or remove an FTP account
In the FTP Accounts table, next to the account:
- Change Password - enter a new password and click Change Password. Do this when someone no longer needs access and you want to keep the account.
- Change Quota - raise the limit if uploads fail with a quota or "disk full" error.
- Delete - then choose Delete Account to remove the login but keep the files. Avoid Delete Account and Files unless you're sure: if the account's directory is
public_html, that option deletes your entire website.
The Special FTP Accounts table lists built-in accounts tied to your cPanel login. You can't edit or delete those.
Troubleshooting
"530 Login authentication failed"
Check you're using the full username including @example.com, and that there are no spaces before or after the password. If in doubt, reset the password with Change Password.
I suddenly can't connect to anything
Several failed logins in a row can make our firewall temporarily block your IP address - this blocks the website, email and cPanel too, not just FTP. Look up your IP at whatismyipaddress.com and open a support ticket with it so we can unblock you.
I logged in but the folder is empty
The account's directory is probably the auto-created folder (such as public_html/designer) rather than public_html. Delete the FTP account (choose Delete Account only) and create it again with the right directory.
Can I create more than 10 FTP accounts?
Standard plans include 10. Delete accounts you no longer use, or open a ticket to talk about your options.
Related guides
- How to Connect to Your Website with FileZilla (FTPS)
- How to Use cPanel User Manager to Manage Email and FTP Users
- File and Folder Permissions Explained (644 and 755)
- How to Use cPanel File Manager to Manage Your Website Files
Still stuck? Open a support ticket and the Instant Access Internet Services team will help.
