# How to Connect to Your Minecraft Server via SFTP (/docs/minecraft/configure-sftp)
import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';
SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) lets you manage your server files using a desktop application. It's the **right tool** for any file transfer larger than a few megabytes — modpacks, world folders, plugin bundles, and bulk uploads. The web file manager works for quick edits, but it gets slow and unreliable above \~50 MB.
When to Use SFTP vs the Panel [#when-to-use-sftp-vs-the-panel]
| Task | Panel **Files** | SFTP |
| ----------------------------------------- | :-------------: | :--: |
| Edit `server.properties` | ✅ Best | OK |
| Drop in a single small plugin | ✅ Best | OK |
| Upload a 500 MB modpack | ❌ Slow / fails | ✅ |
| Upload / download a multi-GB world | ❌ Slow / fails | ✅ |
| Bulk operations on hundreds of files | ❌ | ✅ |
| Edit config in your favorite local editor | ❌ | ✅ |
Recommended SFTP Clients [#recommended-sftp-clients]
| Client | Platforms | Notes |
| ----------------------------------------------- | --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| **[FileZilla](https://filezilla-project.org/)** | Windows / Mac / Linux | Most popular, beginner-friendly |
| **[WinSCP](https://winscp.net/)** | Windows | Tight Windows integration, drag-and-drop with Explorer |
| **[Cyberduck](https://cyberduck.io/)** | Mac / Windows | Clean macOS-native UI |
| **[Termius](https://termius.com/)** | All | Combined SSH+SFTP if you also use the terminal |
Get Your SFTP Credentials [#get-your-sftp-credentials]
In the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com), open **Settings** (or **Network**, depending on your panel layout). You'll find:
| Field | Where to find it | Example |
| ------------ | ---------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| **Host** | `sftp://` + your panel address | `sftp://panel.xgamingserver.com` |
| **Port** | Listed under SFTP details | `2022` (not 22 or 21) |
| **Username** | Your panel login + `.` + server ID | `yourname.abc1234` |
| **Password** | Your panel account password | *(same as panel login)* |
> **Important:** SFTP uses your **panel password**, not the server password. If you change your panel password, your SFTP password changes with it.
Connect with FileZilla [#connect-with-filezilla]
Install FileZilla [#install-filezilla]
Download **FileZilla Client** (not Server) from [filezilla-project.org](https://filezilla-project.org/). Install with default settings.
Open the Site Manager [#open-the-site-manager]
In FileZilla, go to **File → Site Manager** and click **New Site**. Name it something like "My MC Server".
Enter your credentials [#enter-your-credentials]
| Field | Value |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| **Protocol** | SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol |
| **Host** | (your panel SFTP host) |
| **Port** | (your panel SFTP port) |
| **Logon Type** | Normal |
| **User** | (your username, including server ID) |
| **Password** | (your panel password) |
Click **Connect**. The first time, accept the host key fingerprint.
Transfer files [#transfer-files]
* **Left pane** = your computer
* **Right pane** = your server
* **Drag files between panes** to upload (left → right) or download (right → left)
* Right-click for options like **Add to queue**, **Create directory**, **Rename**
Connect with WinSCP [#connect-with-winscp]
Open WinSCP and create a new session [#open-winscp-and-create-a-new-session]
Launch WinSCP and click **New Session**.
Fill in your details [#fill-in-your-details]
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | --------------------- |
| **File protocol** | SFTP |
| **Host name** | (your SFTP host) |
| **Port number** | (your SFTP port) |
| **User name** | (your username) |
| **Password** | (your panel password) |
Click **Login**.
Use the dual-pane interface [#use-the-dual-pane-interface]
WinSCP shows your computer on the left, server on the right. Drag files between panes.
Tips for Faster Transfers [#tips-for-faster-transfers]
1. **Compress before uploading** — a single 500 MB `.zip` is much faster than 5,000 individual files
2. **Use the queue** — FileZilla's queue retries failed transfers automatically
3. **Upload during off-peak hours** — your local upload speed is usually the bottleneck
4. **Stop the server during world uploads** — prevents file lock conflicts
5. **For very large worlds**, compress them in the panel first, download the archive, then re-upload elsewhere
Common Mistakes [#common-mistakes]
| Mistake | Fix |
| --------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Using port 22 or 21 | Use the SFTP port from your panel — usually `2022` or similar |
| Using the server password instead of panel password | SFTP uses your **panel** account password |
| Forgetting `sftp://` prefix in some clients | Some clients need it explicitly, some don't — try both |
| Uploading mods/world while server is running | Stop the server first to avoid file locks and corruption |
| Forgetting the server ID in the username | Username format is usually `panellogin.serverid` |
| Using FTP instead of SFTP | Only SFTP is supported. FTP is rejected |
Security [#security]
* **Never share your SFTP password** — it's your panel password
* **Use a password manager** to store credentials securely
* **Enable 2FA on your panel account** if available
* **Don't transfer files over public Wi-Fi** without a VPN
* The server's host key fingerprint should be the same every time — if it changes unexpectedly, contact support
Related Guides [#related-guides]
* [Download World](/docs/minecraft/download-world)
* [Upload World](/docs/minecraft/upload-world)
* [Install Custom JAR](/docs/minecraft/install-custom-jar)
* [Modpack Setup](/docs/minecraft/modpack-setup)