--- title: "How to use FTP and FTPS on a Mac" description: "Finder can only read FTP servers. Upload to FTP and FTPS from your Mac with AnyBucket: passive mode, explicit TLS, self-signed certificates and copying to S3." url: https://anybucket.app/guides/ftp-ftps-mac lang: en --- # FTP and FTPS on a Mac, uploads included Finder can open an FTP server, but only to read from it. To upload, or to use FTPS, you need a transfer app. ## The short answer Finder's **Go → Connect to Server** opens FTP servers **read-only**: you can copy files from them, not to them, and FTPS isn't offered. In AnyBucket, press **⇧⌘K**, pick **FTP** or **FTPS**, enter the server, user and password, and connect. Mark files with Space and press F5 to upload or download. FTPS needs `python3` from Apple's Command Line Tools (`xcode-select --install`). ## Why Finder isn't enough macOS can connect to an FTP server from Finder's **Go → Connect to Server**, but Apple notes that you can only copy files *from* it; to copy files *to* the server you need another app. FTPS, FTP with TLS encryption, isn't on Finder's list at all. See Apple's [Connect your Mac to shared computers and servers](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/mchlp1140/mac). ## FTP, FTPS or SFTP? | | Encrypted | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | | **FTP** | No | Password and files travel in the clear. Use it only on a trusted network, or when nothing else is offered. | | **FTPS** | Yes, with TLS | FTP with encryption. Common on web hosts and backup servers. | | **SFTP** | Yes, over SSH | A different protocol, often on the same host. See [SFTP on a Mac](https://anybucket.app/guides/sftp-client-mac). | If your host offers SFTP or FTPS, use one of those. ## Before FTPS: install the Command Line Tools AnyBucket runs FTPS's TLS through a small Python bridge, so it needs `python3` from Apple's Command Line Tools. If you don't have them: 1. Open Terminal. 2. Run `xcode-select --install` and follow the prompts. Plain FTP needs nothing extra. ## Connect in AnyBucket 1. Press **⇧⌘K** (**File → Connect to Server…**). 2. Under **Servers**, pick **FTP** or **FTPS**. 3. Type the server, your user name and password. The password goes to your login keychain. 4. Optionally type a starting path, such as `/public_html`, and a nickname. 5. Press **Connect**, or save it as a bookmark first. Or paste an `ftp://` or `ftps://` address into the palette (**⌘K**). AnyBucket connects in **passive mode**, which works through most firewalls and home routers, and FTPS uses **explicit TLS**. If the server's certificate is self-signed, AnyBucket asks once and remembers your choice for that bookmark. ## Upload a website 1. Open your site's folder on This Mac in one pane and the server in the other (⌘\ opens a second pane). 2. Mark the files with Space, or press **⌘A** to mark them all. 3. Press **F5**. If a file is already there, choose **Replace**, **Replace if Newer**, **Keep Both**, **Skip** or **Resume**, and tick **Apply to all** to answer once. To upload only what changed, press **⌥F5** instead: Compare & Sync lists every new or changed file before anything moves. See [sync a folder with a server](https://anybucket.app/guides/sync-folder-with-server). ## Move off FTP Moving a site or an archive from an old FTP host to S3, WebDAV or SFTP? Open the FTP server in one pane and the new home in the other, mark and press **F5**. Files stream through a small spool on your Mac, with no download to manage. See [copy files between servers](https://anybucket.app/guides/copy-files-between-servers-mac). ## If it doesn't connect - **FTPS fails straight away:** install the Command Line Tools (above). See [troubleshooting](https://anybucket.app/support/troubleshooting#ftps). - **The login works but listings hang:** the server's passive ports may be blocked by its firewall. Ask your host which ports it uses for passive mode. - **A transfer stopped:** it retries by itself; anything still failing waits under **Needs attention** in the Transfers window (⌥⌘T). ## Questions, answered ### How do I upload to an FTP server? With an FTP client: AnyBucket uploads, downloads, renames and deletes over FTP and FTPS. Finder connects to FTP servers read-only, so you can copy files from them but not to them. ### What do I need for FTPS on a Mac? In AnyBucket, `python3` from Apple's Command Line Tools: run `xcode-select --install` in Terminal once. Plain FTP needs nothing extra. ### Does AnyBucket support self-signed certificates? Yes. For a self-signed FTPS certificate, AnyBucket asks once and remembers your choice for that bookmark. ### Is FTP safe? Plain FTP isn't encrypted: anyone on the network path can read the password and the files. Use FTPS or SFTP whenever your server offers them. ## Read next - [FTP and FTPS](https://anybucket.app/features/ftp-ftps) - [SFTP on a Mac](https://anybucket.app/guides/sftp-client-mac) - [Troubleshooting](https://anybucket.app/support/troubleshooting) - [AnyBucket vs FileZilla](https://anybucket.app/compare/filezilla) **Buy for $9.99:** https://buy.polar.sh/polar_cl_pCF9yOjezTUaUqMPyUsxEho1EjcOvo6Bk49Q929LQCQ --- AnyBucket is independent software by [Clever Mechanisms](https://clevermechanisms.dev). It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Apple Inc. or any storage provider. Independent software in the spirit of Cyberduck and the classic two-pane commanders. Not affiliated with iterate GmbH (Cyberduck). Apple, Mac, macOS, Finder and Quick Look are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions. Amazon S3 is a trademark of Amazon.com, Inc. Other product names are trademarks of their owners. Email support: support@clevermechanisms.dev