Additional FTP account in cPanel: create one limited to a single folder

An additional FTP account lets someone work with your files without knowing the cPanel password. You decide which folder the account can reach and, if you like, how much it may upload. Typical uses: a web developer who works on one site, a colleague who only uploads photos, or one of several sites hosted in the same account.

Main account and additional accounts

• The main FTP account exists from day one. Its username and password are those of cPanel, and it reaches the whole home folder. cPanel lists it under Special FTP Accounts; it cannot be deleted, and its password changes whenever you change the cPanel password.
• Additional accounts log in as name@domain, see only the folder you assign, and connect over FTP or FTP with TLS. SFTP is not available to them.

Creating the account

1. Log in to cPanel and open Files, then FTP Accounts.
2. Fill in the Add FTP Account form:
   • Log In: a short name, for example developer.
   • Domain: the domain that completes the login. With example.md the full login becomes developer@example.md.
   • Password and Password (Again): a strong password. Password Generator creates one; copy it somewhere safe before closing the window.
   • Directory: cPanel fills this field in by itself from the login name, which gives a new, empty folder. Change it to what the person really needs: public_html for the primary site, the folder of an addon domain for that site only, or keep the suggestion for a separate upload folder. A folder that does not exist yet is created.
   • Quota: a limit in MB or Unlimited. The quota only caps what this account may upload. It does not add space to your hosting plan.
3. Click Create FTP Account. The new account appears in the list below the form.

What to send to the person who will connect

Next to the account in the list, Configure FTP Client shows the login, the FTP server and the port (21), and offers ready-made configuration files for FileZilla and other programs. Keep in mind:

• The server ftp.yourdomain works once the domain points to TopHost. Before that, use the server IP address, shown on the cPanel home page under General Information as Shared IP Address.
• Send the password through a different channel than the login, for example the login by e-mail and the password by phone.
• The settings in the FTP program are explained step by step in Setting up FileZilla.

Managing the accounts

• Change Password: sets a new password for that account only.
• Change Quota: raises or lowers its upload limit.
• Delete: removes the account. If the dialog also offers to remove the account's files, think before you choose it: for an account set to public_html, that would erase your website.

The folder of an existing account cannot be changed. If you picked the wrong one, delete only the account (not its files) and create it again with the right path. When a developer has finished, delete the account or at least change its password.

If the login fails

• 530 Login authentication failed. Usually only developer was typed instead of the full developer@example.md, or the password is wrong. Set a new one with Change Password.
• The connection stops working altogether. After several failed attempts, the server firewall blocks the IP address for a while. The reasons are listed in The main reasons for blocking an IP address by the server firewall; send us your IP in a ticket if the block does not lift.
• The folder is empty after login. The account points to the new folder that cPanel suggested, not to the site. Recreate it with the right directory.
• SFTP is refused. Additional accounts do not support SFTP. Choose FTP with explicit TLS in the program.

Lost the main cPanel password? Forgotten password: where to reset it covers it. For anything else, open a ticket at https://billing.tophost.md/submitticket.php.