Connect to FTP server from Android

Normally we use an FTP client or app on our desktop to connect to FTP servers to manage files, upload files, download files and so on. There’s a time you may need to connect to an FTP server when a computer is not accessible. In this article, we will introduce you several free FTP apps for Android which can also help you connect with FTP servers so you can download files from an FTP server, upload files to an FTP server right from your mobile phone.

android ftp file transfer

Connect FTP server with CX File Explorer

CX File Explorer is a popular file manager with a clean and intuitive user interface that people can use to manage the files on their Android device, PC, network-attached storage, remote or shared storage, cloud storage, etc.

Launch CX File Explorer on Android phone. Switch from the LOCAL to NETWORK tab where you can find the following options: Access from network, New location. Choose New location > REMOTE.

cx file explorer for android - network

Here we can connect to other devices in the local network, connect to SMB server, FTP server, SFTP or WebDAV file servers from Android mobile.

cx file explorer android phone to access remote file server

Choose FTP, then input the FTP server host IP, port, username and password. If anonymous access is enabled, tap to check the Anonymous option so no username or password required.

android phone connect ftp server with cx file explorer app

Fill in all the required info, then click OK button. You can then access all files and folders saved on the FTP server right from your mobile phone.

Connect FTP server using MiXplorer

This is a fast, smooth, beautiful, reliable, free and full-featured Android file manager with a simple and intuitive user interface. It supports SD, FTP, Lan, Cloud and other storage.

Open the file explorer app on your mobile phone, tap the Add (+) button from the bottom toolbar, choose Add Storage from the pop-up menu.

add storage, ftp server to android mobile phone using mixplorer

Choose FTP (S,ES) from the above list. As you can see from above screenshot, SFTP is also supported, just a small side note. Then input your FTP server details as shown on below screenshot.

add ftp server to android phone using mixplorer app
  • FTP address: ftp://yourdomain or ftp://yourftpserverIP;
  • Username: ftp account name;
  • Password: the password for above ftp account;
  • Display name(optional): a descriptive name of your FTP server.

Tap Save button to save the FTP connection. You can then access your FTP server from Android phone to upload files from phone to FTP server, download files from FTP server to Android, etc.

Connecting to FTP server with Owlfiles Manager

A powerful file manager app on Android and iOS. It can access not only local files, but also files on your computer, NAS and cloud storages. Transfer files from any location to any location. Stream movies and music to your Android phones and tablets. Directly view and manage documents, photos and files without downloading.

Run Owlfiles app on your mobile phone. Switch to the Connections tab from the bottom. Tap the lightening button at the top right corner, choose New Connection > FTP.

Owlfiles file manager app android phone create new connection

If you have enabled anonymous access to FTP server above, here you only need to input the FTP server IP address before you hit the Save button in the upper right corner to create and save the FTP server connection.

Owlfiles file manager app android phone create new connection to FTP server

Once your Android phone is connected to the FTP server through Owlfiles, it is very straightforward to copy files between the phone and the server. It is just like how you copy files from one folder to another in the same local storage of the phone.

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