SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) lets you browse, upload, and download files on your PMPro Hosting server directly from your computer. This is available on PMPro Max plans and uses SSH key authentication, the same key pair described in the SSH Access documentation.

Before You Connect

SSH access is optional and intended for advanced users. Most PMPro Hosting customers never need it. Your site works fully without SSH. You can manage everything through the WordPress admin and the PMPro Hosting dashboard. Our support team can log in at your request to implement any change you are not comfortable or interested in doing on your own.

SFTP access requires an SSH key pair. If you haven’t done this yet:

• Follow the SSH Access guide to generate a key pair on your computer.
• Send your public key (the .pub file) to PMPro support.
• Wait for confirmation that your key has been installed on the server.

Support will also provide your server IP address when they confirm access is ready.

Your Connection Details

Setting	Value
Host:	Your server’s IP address (provided by support)
Port:	22
Username:	pmpro_sftp
Authentication:	SSH private key (the file on your computer, not the .pub file)
Password:	None. Leave this blank

Connecting with an SFTP Client

Any SFTP client that supports SSH key authentication will work. Common options:

• FileZilla (Windows, macOS, Linux) — free
• WinSCP (Windows) — free
• Cyberduck (Windows, macOS) — free
• Transmit (macOS) — paid

FileZilla

1. Open File > Site Manager, then click New Site.
2. Set Protocol to SFTP – SSH File Transfer Protocol.
3. Enter your server IP in Host and 22 in Port.
4. Set Logon Type to Key file.
5. Enter pmpro_sftp as the User.
6. Click Browse next to the Key file field and select your SSH private key file.
7. Click Connect.

WinSCP

1. Open WinSCP and click New Session.
2. Set File protocol to SFTP.
3. Enter your server IP in Host name and 22 in Port number.
4. Enter pmpro_sftp as the Username. Leave Password blank.
5. Click Advanced > SSH > Authentication, then browse to your private key file under Private key file.
6. Click OK, then Login.

Cyberduck

1. Click Open Connection.
2. Set the protocol dropdown to SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol).
3. Enter your server IP in Server and 22 in Port.
4. Enter pmpro_sftp as the Username. Leave Password blank.
5. Set SSH Private Key to your private key file.
6. Click Connect.

Transmit (macOS)

1. Click the + button to create a new server.
2. Set Protocol to SFTP.
3. Enter your server IP in Address and 22 in Port.
4. Enter pmpro_sftp as the Username.
5. Set SSH Key to your private key file.
6. Click Connect.

Your File Structure

Once connected, you will see one folder per site on your plan. Inside each folder, your WordPress files live at:

All WordPress file management, themes, plugins, uploads, happens inside the public/ folder.

Common Task: Disable a Plugin via SFTP

The most common reason to use SFTP is to disable a plugin when a fatal error is preventing you from accessing your WordPress dashboard.

1. Connect to your server and navigate to your-domain.com/public/wp-content/plugins/.
2. Find the folder for the plugin causing the problem.
3. Rename the folder by adding a prefix or suffix. For example, rename bad-plugin to bad-plugin-off.
4. WordPress will no longer load the plugin. You should now be able to access your dashboard.
5. Once you’ve resolved the issue, rename the folder back to its original name to re-enable the plugin.

For more detail on this technique, see: How to Disable a Plugin in WordPress

Troubleshooting

I can connect and browse files, but I can’t upload or delete anything.
File ownership on the server may need to be corrected. Contact PMPro support and let them know — this is a quick fix on our end.

My SFTP client says “Host key verification failed” or “Authentication failed.”
Double-check that you’re using your private key (not the .pub file) in your client settings, and that you’re connecting to the correct IP address on port 22 with username pmpro_sftp. If the problem persists, contact support.

My domain doesn’t connect, but the IP address does.
This is expected if your domain routes through a CDN. Always use the IP address for SFTP.

Managing Additional Keys

If you want to allow another person or device to connect using their own key, you can add additional public keys yourself. Your SFTP access grants you permission to do so. If you’re not sure how, contact support and we’ll add the key for you.