Connect to FTP/SFTP Server from Android

To connect to an FTP or SFTP server from your Android phone, open AnExplorer, add a new network connection, select FTP or SFTP, enter your server's hostname/IP, port, username, and password, then connect. Your remote files appear in AnExplorer's interface just like local folders — you can browse, upload, download, rename, and delete files directly from your phone.

Understanding FTP vs SFTP

Before connecting, know which protocol your server uses:

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

• Default port: 21
• No encryption — data and passwords are sent in plain text
• Widely supported by older servers and basic hosting
• Fine on trusted local networks, dangerous over public WiFi or internet
• May require passive mode configuration for NAT/firewall traversal

SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)

• Default port: 22
• Fully encrypted — all data, credentials, and file transfers are secured
• Uses SSH for authentication (password or key-based)
• Works through most firewalls without special configuration
• Preferred for any connection over the internet

FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS)

• Default port: 990 (implicit) or 21 with STARTTLS (explicit)
• Adds encryption layer to standard FTP
• Less common than SFTP but supported by some hosting providers
• More complex setup than SFTP

AnExplorer supports FTP and SFTP as client connection protocols. Choose SFTP whenever possible for security.

Step-by-Step: Connect to an FTP Server

1. Gather Your Server Credentials

Before starting, you need:

• Server address: hostname (ftp.example.com) or IP address (192.168.1.100)
• Port: 21 for FTP, 22 for SFTP (or custom port if configured differently)
• Username: your account username on the server
• Password: your account password
• Initial directory (optional): the path to start in after connecting (e.g., /home/user/ or /public_html/)

Where to find these credentials depends on your server type:

• Web hosting: Control panel (cPanel → FTP Accounts, Plesk → FTP Access)
• NAS device: NAS admin panel → FTP service settings
• Home server: Whatever you configured when setting up the FTP/SSH service
• Workplace server: Ask your system administrator

2. Add Connection in AnExplorer

1. Open AnExplorer
2. Tap the + button or navigate to Network in the sidebar/drawer
3. Select FTP or SFTP from the connection type list
4. Fill in the connection form:
   • Name (optional): A friendly label like "My Web Server" or "Home NAS"
   • Server/Host: Enter the hostname or IP (e.g., ftp.mysite.com or 192.168.1.50)
   • Port: 21 for FTP, 22 for SFTP (change only if your server uses a non-standard port)
   • Username: Your server account username
   • Password: Your server account password
   • Path (optional): Starting directory after login
5. Tap Connect or Save & Connect

3. Browse and Manage Remote Files

Once connected, the remote server's file system appears in AnExplorer:

• Navigate folders by tapping them (just like local browsing)
• Download files: Long-press → Copy/Move → navigate to local storage → Paste
• Upload files: Copy local files → navigate to the FTP connection → Paste
• Create folders: Menu → New Folder
• Delete files: Long-press → Delete (deletes from the remote server)
• Rename: Long-press → Rename

File operations happen over the network, so speed depends on your internet connection and the server's bandwidth.

Common Server Types and Their Settings

Web Hosting (cPanel/Plesk)

Home NAS (Synology, QNAP, etc.)

Note: You must enable the FTP or SSH service on your NAS before connecting. Check your NAS admin panel under "File Services" or "Network Services."

Linux/VPS Server

Raspberry Pi / Home Server

Anonymous FTP Connections

Some public FTP servers allow anonymous access (no account required):

1. Select FTP as the protocol
2. Enter the server address
3. Use anonymous as the username
4. Use a blank password or your email address (traditional courtesy)
5. Anonymous access is typically read-only (download only, no upload)

Public FTP servers are increasingly rare but still used by:

• Linux distribution mirrors (for downloading ISOs)
• Academic institutions sharing research data
• Government open data repositories
• Software archive sites

Saving Connections for Quick Access

AnExplorer saves your FTP/SFTP connections so you do not need to re-enter credentials each time:

1. After a successful first connection, the server appears in your Network list
2. Tap it to reconnect instantly using saved credentials
3. To modify settings: long-press the saved connection → Edit
4. To remove: long-press → Delete

Saved connections also appear in AnExplorer's sidebar for one-tap access.

Transferring Files

Download from Server to Phone

1. Connect to your FTP/SFTP server
2. Navigate to the file or folder you want to download
3. Long-press to select (or select multiple files)
4. Tap Copy (or the copy icon)
5. Navigate back to local storage (Internal Storage, SD Card, or a specific folder)
6. Tap Paste — the download begins
7. Transfer speed depends on your network connection

Upload from Phone to Server

1. Navigate to the local files you want to upload in AnExplorer
2. Long-press to select files/folders
3. Tap Copy (or Cut to move)
4. Navigate to your FTP/SFTP connection and into the target folder
5. Tap Paste — the upload begins

Drag-and-Drop (if supported)

Some AnExplorer configurations support drag-and-drop between panels when using split-view or dual-pane mode, making transfers between local and remote as simple as dragging files across.

Security Best Practices

1. Always use SFTP over public networks — FTP passwords are transmitted in plain text and can be intercepted
2. Use unique passwords for FTP accounts — do not reuse your email or other account passwords
3. Limit FTP account permissions — most web hosts let you create restricted FTP accounts that can only access specific directories
4. Disconnect when done — especially on shared devices
5. Avoid saving passwords on shared phones — anyone with access to AnExplorer could connect to your server
6. Use non-standard ports — if running your own server, changing SSH from port 22 to a custom port reduces automated attack attempts

Troubleshooting

Connection refused / Cannot connect

• Verify the server address is correct (no typos, correct IP)
• Confirm the port matches your protocol (21 for FTP, 22 for SFTP)
• Check that the FTP/SSH service is running on the server
• Ensure your phone is on the correct network (local server = same WiFi; remote server = internet access required)
• Check if a firewall is blocking the connection (on the server side)

Authentication failed / Wrong password

• Re-check username and password (case-sensitive)
• Verify you are using the FTP-specific credentials (some hosts have separate FTP passwords)
• Check if the account is locked or disabled on the server
• Try connecting with a different FTP client on a computer to verify credentials work

Connected but folder listing is empty or slow

• The server may be using active mode while your connection requires passive mode
• Large directories take time to list over slow connections
• The account may have restricted access to only certain directories
• Check permissions on the server — your user may lack read access to the current directory

Transfer speeds are very slow

• WiFi signal strength affects local transfers significantly
• Internet upload speeds are typically much slower than download speeds
• The server may have bandwidth limits configured
• Try a smaller test file first to verify the connection works, then proceed with larger transfers
• Mobile data connections often have higher latency which affects many-file transfers

Connection drops mid-transfer

• Enable "keep alive" or heartbeat settings if available
• Unstable WiFi or mobile data causes disconnections — move closer to your router
• Server timeout settings may disconnect idle connections — resume the transfer after reconnecting
• For large transfers, consider transferring files in smaller batches

Related Guides

• Set Up SMB Share Connection — connect to NAS via SMB instead
• Move Files to Cloud — upload files to cloud services
• Slow File Transfer — diagnose transfer speed issues
• Access Files from Browser — share files via Connect