How to create FTP accounts

Every JetHost hosting account includes a main FTP account that uses your cPanel username and password. You can also create additional FTP accounts in cPanel to give developers, designers, or applications access to specific folders without sharing your full cPanel login. This guide explains how to create FTP accounts and how to change FTP passwords. For connection details, see How to connect your JetHost account via FTP.

Why create separate FTP accounts

If you hire a developer or designer, they may need FTP access to your files. Giving them your cPanel username and password would give them full access to your account, including email, databases, and settings. Instead, create a separate FTP account with its own username and password. You can restrict that account to a specific folder (e.g. only public_html or a subfolder). When the project ends, you can remove the account. Additional FTP accounts are also useful for applications or scripts that need limited file access.

Create an FTP account in cPanel

Log in to cPanel and open FTP Accounts under the Files section. You will see a form with these fields:

Log In: The username for the FTP account. It will be combined with your domain to form the full FTP username (e.g. developer@yourdomain.com).

Domain: Select the domain for this account. The full FTP username will be login@domain.

Password: Set a strong password for the FTP account. Use the password generator for a secure random password.

Directory: This is the starting directory the FTP account can access. It acts as the root for that user. For example, if you set /home/username/public_html, the user will see only the contents of public_html and its subfolders. They cannot access files outside that path. Choose the directory carefully: you cannot change it after the account is created. To change it, you must delete the FTP account and create a new one.

Quota: Optional disk space limit for this FTP account. Set a value in MB or choose Unlimited. When the quota is reached, the account cannot upload more files until the next billing cycle or until you increase the quota.

Fill in the details and click Create FTP Account. The new account appears in the FTP Accounts list. Use the same host and ports as your main account (port 21 for FTP, 1022 for SFTP on JetHost) when connecting with this username.

Change FTP password

Default FTP account (main cPanel account)

The default FTP account uses your cPanel username and password. To change its password, you must change your cPanel password. See How to change cPanel password on JetHost. After you change it, use the new password for FTP, cPanel, and email (if applicable).

Additional FTP accounts (created in cPanel)

To change the password for an FTP account you created in cPanel: log in to cPanel, open FTP Accounts under Files, find the account in the list, and click Change Password. Enter the new password, confirm it, and click Change Password. The change takes effect immediately. Update your FTP client or give the new password to the person who uses that account.

Need more help?

For connection help, see How to connect your JetHost account via FTP. For uploading files with FileZilla, see our FileZilla guide. If you have trouble with FTP accounts or passwords, contact our support team. JetHost web hosting includes unlimited FTP accounts on cPanel plans.