Another way to share a Mac file: Using the FTP protocol

Still looking for an alternative to sharing files on your Mac? Try File Transfer Protocol (FTP)! FTP is a protocol that uses the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to connect to share files between two computers. Of all the file sharing methods available on Mac, FTP is not much discussed—perhaps because some users don’t understand it.

You can use it to transfer files between two systems or servers. Here are some scenarios where you can use it:

• Back up data to another backup server
• Simplify the process of copying data to another system
• Access shared cloud and web hosting solutions to upload data to remote systems
• Transfer large files (some content management systems have restrictions on the size of files that can be uploaded)
• Processing remote files, using FTP as local disk when connecting to the server
• Depending on the FTP client you are using, you can process files on a remote server and save them on your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air without transferring them to your device.

If you are keen on using FTP but don't know how to do it, we'll help you. In this article, we will show you how to install and access FTP on your Mac. Let's get started.

How to install FTP on Mac

There are multiple ways to connect to FTP from your Mac. If you know what to do, it's easy to set up. Here is what you can expect from our tips below:

• The easiest way to connect FTP on your Mac
• How to enable FTP on Mac using a browser
• How to access FTP on Mac through terminal
• How to use an FTP client on your Mac.

Need an emergency access to your Mac? Learn how to access your Mac remotely.

The easiest way to connect FTP on your Mac

We first add this option because it is the easiest solution to connect to FTP on Mac. Here is the way to get started:

1. Open System Preferences and click Share (depending on your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air machine, you may need to click General instead of Share)
2. Enable "Remote Login".

How to enable FTP using a browser on your Mac

The second method is to connect to the FTP of the browser on your Mac. But remember that you won't get the same functionality as the previous method.

Please follow these steps to enable FTP on your Mac through your browser:

1. Go to the browser's address bar, enter the prefix "ftp://" (excluding quotes), followed by the host's IP address, and press Enter key
2. Enter your username and password and select Login. That's it!

How to access FTP on Mac through terminal

You may know that the terminal command line can be used to start many tasks on your Mac, and accessing FTP is one of them. But it's not just for tech enthusiasts. The following is the operation method:

1. Open Terminal Application
in Finder
2. Enter the server address, the format is "ftp://ftp.domain.com" (excluding quotes). If prompted, please enter your password.

When finished, type any of the following commands based on what you want to achieve:

• ls List all files that are included in your current folder
• cd and the name of the folder you want to change to. This will move you to a different folder
• get and filename to download the file
• put and the file name you intend to upload (upload individual files)
• quit End the connection to the server.

How to use FTP client on Mac

The FTP client for Mac is an excellent alternative to storage. Here are the benefits of using an FTP client on your Mac:

• FTP is fast, allowing you to quickly share files
• You only have to pay for the fee you use-the more storage space you need, the more you pay for
• It's fairly secure because you can log in with your ID and password, and access to files is restricted.

What is FTP?

FTP is an alternative cloud storage solution that allows you to back up and share files between two remote servers. It is used to transfer large files because other file management systems limit file size at a certain point. Unlike using hyperlinks to connect and move your HTTP between sites, FTP allows you to copy and move files between remote servers.

FTP is quite secure in terms of security, provided your connection is ID and password protected. However, your login credentials are not encrypted on most FTP servers, which means your personal information may be compromised during transmission.

However, Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) and FTPS (FTP over SSL) with encryption have been introduced, which makes them more secure. You can set up an FTP server on OS X Big Sur, Sierra, El Capitan, and Catalina.

Share files using FTP on Mac

The file sharing options on the computer will never be too much. When your common methods start to have problems one day, you know that you have another option - share files with FTP on your Mac. Use the practical tips in this article to install, enable, and access FTP on your Mac.

Pro tip: Any time you install files on your Mac, you are at risk of getting infected with viruses and malware. Make sure to protect your device using MacKeeper's Antivirus tool, which in turn will protect your personal information from hackers.

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