How do I connect to FTP & SFTP servers on a Mac?

Mac
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First off, let’s dive into the basics of connecting to FTP and SFTP servers using a Mac. You’ve got a few options:

  1. Terminal Method:

    • FTP: Open Terminal and type ftp [server-address].
    • SFTP: For SFTP, you use sftp [username]@[server-address].
    • Follow the prompts to input your credentials. It’s not the most user-friendly method but it’s straightforward.

  2. Finder Method:

    • For FTP, open Finder, hit Cmd + K (or ‘Go’ > ‘Connect to Server’).
    • Enter ftp://[server-address] and hit “Connect”.
    • For SFTP, Finder doesn’t support it natively. Big bummer, I know.

  3. Third-Party Apps:

    • This is where things get interesting. There are several tools out there, but one highly recommended is CloudMounter.
    • This nifty app supports both FTP and SFTP. It integrates directly with Finder, making the whole experience seamless.
    • It’s also designed to handle a bunch of other cloud services, so it’s a multi-purpose tool.

Steps to Use CloudMounter:

  1. Download and install the app from the App Store.
  2. Open CloudMounter and click ‘Mount New Drive’.
  3. Choose the protocol (FTP/SFTP) and enter your server details.
  4. Authenticate and voila, you’re connected.

If you’re sharing files frequently, this app will save you tons of time and hassle. So there you go, no more head-scratching sessions trying to figure out FTP and SFTP on your Mac. Enjoy and happy file-sharing!

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