Knowledge Base

Can I Switch From FTP to SFTP and Vice Versa?

Updated on July 18, 2026

Overview

By the end of this article you will know whether you can switch a site between File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), what that switch does to your backups, and the exact steps to re-add the site under the new protocol. It explains why we recommend SFTP, how to migrate any associated databases, and how to remove the old website afterward.

Switching between FTP and SFTP

Yes, but switching from FTP to SFTP means you will need to add your site again. Unfortunately, switching protocols has a number of implications for your backups. A new protocol will often mean that all of the paths to your files will change, the user and group associated with your content will change, and the permissions for the files will change. If you are wondering which protocol you should use (FTP or SFTP), we recommend connecting via SFTP as it is more secure, more reliable, and easier to whitelist.

Steps to change protocols

Create a new website (using the same web address, or Uniform Resource Locator (URL)), selecting the desired protocol (see screenshot below). So you will add this website like normal, choosing the root directory and the folders that you want to be backed up. Please note that if your account doesn't have space to do this, just contact support and we will temporarily increase your quota.

Re-adding the website and choosing the desired protocol when you set it up.

If you have any databases associated with your website, please contact support, notifying us of the website that you added, and we will migrate the database(s) over for you.

It is recommended that you delete your old website after your new one is up and running. To do this, first, go to your dashboard and select the website that you wish to delete. You should see two websites with the same URL, and the one you want to delete is the bottom via the dashboard's visual backup history.