Uploading and managing files with File Manager and SFTP
When to use the built-in File Manager versus an SFTP client, where to find your SFTP credentials, and how to upload large files reliably.
There are two ways to get files onto your server: the built-in File Manager in your browser, and an SFTP client on your computer. Each is better for different jobs.
File Manager — quick edits and small uploads
Best for editing configs, reading logs, and dropping in a few files.
- Open your server and click File Manager in the sidebar.
- Navigate folders by clicking them (for example
plugins/,mods/,world/,logs/). - Edit a file: click it to open the in-browser editor, make changes, and click Save.
- Upload: click Upload, or drag files straight from your desktop into the file list.
- Create / rename / delete / compress: use the row menu or the buttons at the top.
The File Manager is perfect for a .jar or two, a config tweak, or checking logs/latest.log. It works on mobile too.
SFTP — large uploads and bulk transfers
For big modpacks, hundreds of files, or a whole world folder, a proper SFTP client is faster and far more reliable than a browser upload. We recommend FileZilla (Windows/Mac/Linux) or WinSCP (Windows).
Find your SFTP details
- Open the SFTP tab (it may be under Settings or shown on File Manager, depending on your game).
- You'll see:
- Host and Port — the SFTP address (note it's a different port from your game connection).
- Username — a long username unique to this server.
- Password — your ServerPrism account password (the same one you log in with).
Connect
- Open FileZilla and enter the Host, Port, Username, and Password from above.
- Set the protocol to SFTP (not plain FTP).
- Connect. The right-hand pane is your server's files; drag files across from the left (your computer) to upload.
Tip: if a browser upload keeps failing on a large modpack or world, switch to SFTP — it resumes and handles thousands of small files without timing out.
Common issues
- "Login failed" over SFTP: double-check you used the full username from the SFTP tab and your account password (not a server-specific password). Make sure the protocol is SFTP.
- Uploads stall in the browser: the file is too big for a browser upload — use SFTP instead.
- File saved but nothing changed in-game: most config changes only apply after a restart. Restart from the Console tab.
- Permission denied editing a file: occasionally a modpack installer leaves files owned by the wrong user. Open a ticket and we'll fix the ownership.