SFTP Files Support

"Connection refused" or the connection times out

The app connects over SSH (port 22 unless you changed it). Check that:

• SSH is enabled on the server — on a Raspberry Pi run sudo systemctl enable --now ssh; on a Synology enable SSH in Control Panel → Terminal & SNMP; on a Mac turn on Remote Login.
• The port matches your server's SSH port (22 by default).
• You're on a network that can reach the server — for a home server that usually means the same Wi-Fi.

Sign-in fails with a password

Use the same username and password you'd use with ssh user@host. If plain ssh works but the app doesn't, check that the server allows password authentication (PasswordAuthentication yes in /etc/ssh/sshd_config) — many VPS images disable it in favor of keys.

Using a private key

Choose Private Key authentication and paste your OpenSSH-format key — the text starting with -----BEGIN OPENSSH PRIVATE KEY-----. Ed25519 and RSA keys are supported, including passphrase-protected ones (enter the passphrase in the field below the key).

Note: keys encrypted with a hardened KDF setting (ssh-keygen -a 32 or higher) aren't supported yet — re-export with the default settings, or remove the passphrase copy with ssh-keygen -p.

Start directory

Leave it blank to start in your home folder, or set an absolute path like /var/www to open there on every connect.

How do I get my server into Finder?

Edit the server and turn on Mount as drive in Finder. It appears under Locations in Finder's sidebar, and every app on your Mac can open and save files on it. To remove it, press the ⏏ eject button on the server card (Finder doesn't show its own eject control for app-provided drives — that's a macOS limitation).

Changes made on the server don't appear immediately

SFTP has no change notifications, so Finder refreshes a folder when you reopen it. If a folder looks stale, close and reopen it, or press ⌘R.

What is the console?

A quick way to run one-off commands (ls -la, df -h, tail -f-style checks) on your server over the same SSH connection. cd is sticky between commands. Some hardened servers (SFTP-only hosting accounts) disable command execution — file browsing still works there, but the console will report that commands are unavailable.

Is my data encrypted?

Yes — everything (credentials, files, console commands) travels inside the SSH connection, encrypted end to end between your device and your server. See the Privacy Policy.

How do I remove ads?

Open Settings → SFTP Files Pro → Remove Ads. One-time purchase, no subscription, removes all ads forever, on all your devices via universal purchase. Already bought it? Tap Restore Purchase.