SyncFolder — Desktop User Guide

FTP/FTPS Server

This location type connects to a standard FTP server, or to an FTP server secured with TLS/SSL encryption (FTPS). After selecting this type from the dropdown and clicking Select drive/folder, a popup opens where you enter the server connection details before browsing its folders.

Connection Details

Fill in the following fields in the popup:

  • Server address — the hostname or IP address of the FTP server.
  • Port number — typically 21 for FTP/FTPS.
  • Account name — the username for the FTP account.
  • Password — the password for the FTP account.
  • Encryption type — choose TLS explicit mode, TLS implicit mode, or no encryption, depending on what the server supports.

Additional Options

  • Turn the Force TLS v1.2 switch On if the server requires (or you want to enforce) TLS version 1.2.
  • Enable the server uses UTC timestamps option if the FTP server reports file timestamps in UTC, so SyncFolder can interpret them correctly.

If you're not sure which encryption mode or timestamp setting to use, check with your hosting provider or the server's documentation — using the wrong setting can cause connection failures or incorrect file change detection.

Connecting and Selecting a Folder

  1. Once all fields are filled in, click Connect.
  2. SyncFolder connects to the server and shows its folder structure.
  3. Browse the folder tree and select the desired folder, then confirm the selection.

If the connection fails, double-check the server address, port, encryption type, and credentials. A mismatched encryption mode is one of the most common causes of FTP connection failures.

Changing the Connection Later

You can update the server details or choose a different folder at any time by clicking Select drive/folder again. If the previously entered details are still correct, the popup opens directly to the folder picker.

Related topics: Storage Location Overview · SFTP/SSH Server · Internal, External or Network Drive

Last updated: June 19, 2026