{"id":9705,"date":"2026-06-03T09:08:03","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T07:08:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/?post_type=manual_kb&#038;p=9705"},"modified":"2026-06-03T09:08:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T07:08:04","slug":"how-to-connect-to-an-external-sftp-server-using-midnight-commander","status":"publish","type":"manual_kb","link":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-connect-to-an-external-sftp-server-using-midnight-commander\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Connect to an External SFTP Server Using Midnight Commander"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"translation-block translation-block-merged\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In situations where you need to transfer files directly between two servers that support SSH access, <strong>Midnight Commander (MC)<\/strong> provides a convenient way to establish an SFTP connection without first downloading files to your local computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This method is particularly useful for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Website migrations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Backup transfers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Copying files between hosting accounts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Moving large amounts of data between servers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-connect-to-an-external-sftp-server-using-midnight-commander\/#Prerequisites\" >Prerequisites<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-connect-to-an-external-sftp-server-using-midnight-commander\/#Step_1_Launch_Midnight_Commander\" >Step 1: Launch Midnight Commander<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-connect-to-an-external-sftp-server-using-midnight-commander\/#Step_2_Open_the_Connection_Menu\" >Step 2: Open the Connection Menu<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-connect-to-an-external-sftp-server-using-midnight-commander\/#Step_3_Enter_the_Connection_Details\" >Step 3: Enter the Connection Details<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-connect-to-an-external-sftp-server-using-midnight-commander\/#Step_4_Enter_Your_Password\" >Step 4: Enter Your Password<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-connect-to-an-external-sftp-server-using-midnight-commander\/#Step_5_Browse_the_Remote_Server\" >Step 5: Browse the Remote Server<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-connect-to-an-external-sftp-server-using-midnight-commander\/#Step_6_Copy_Files_Between_Servers\" >Step 6: Copy Files Between Servers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-connect-to-an-external-sftp-server-using-midnight-commander\/#Useful_Keyboard_Shortcuts\" >Useful Keyboard Shortcuts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-connect-to-an-external-sftp-server-using-midnight-commander\/#Troubleshooting\" >Troubleshooting<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-connect-to-an-external-sftp-server-using-midnight-commander\/#Connection_Failed\" >Connection Failed<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-connect-to-an-external-sftp-server-using-midnight-commander\/#Authentication_Error\" >Authentication Error<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-connect-to-an-external-sftp-server-using-midnight-commander\/#Permission_Denied\" >Permission Denied<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-connect-to-an-external-sftp-server-using-midnight-commander\/#Summary\" >Summary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prerequisites\"><\/span>Prerequisites<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"mybox-2930909463\" class=\"mybox-content mybox-entity-placement\"><div class=\"early-access-banner-inpost\">\r\n  <div class=\"banner-left-inpost\">\r\n    <div class=\"icon-box-inpost\">\r\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/square-info-icon.svg\" alt=\"Info\">\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"text-box-inpost\">\r\n      <span class=\"label-inpost\"><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Early access<\/span><\/span>\r\n      <h4><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Still need help?<\/span><\/h4>\r\n      <p><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Contact our customer service team.<\/span><\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"banner-right-inpost\">\r\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/panel.mybox.com\/helpdesk2\/v\/list\/\" class=\"banner-button-inpost\"><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Message us<\/span><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"translation-block translation-block-merged\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you begin, make sure you have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SSH access to your mybox account<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The remote server&#8217;s hostname or IP address<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A valid username on the remote server<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The corresponding password or SSH key<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_1_Launch_Midnight_Commander\"><\/span>Step 1: Launch Midnight Commander<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After connecting to your hosting account via SSH, start Midnight Commander by running:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>mc<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Midnight Commander interface will open with two file panels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_2_Open_the_Connection_Menu\"><\/span>Step 2: Open the Connection Menu<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choose the panel where you want the remote server to appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From the top menu, select:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>Left<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">or<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>Right<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">depending on which panel you want to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then select:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>SFTP Link...<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">or<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>FTP Link...<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For secure SSH communication, use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>SFTP Link...<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_3_Enter_the_Connection_Details\"><\/span>Step 3: Enter the Connection Details<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the connection window, enter the remote server information using the following format:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>sh:\/\/username@server-address<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>sh:\/\/john@example-server.com<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">or<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>sh:\/\/backupuser@192.168.1.100<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Press:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>Enter<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">or click:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>OK<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">to continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_4_Enter_Your_Password\"><\/span>Step 4: Enter Your Password<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Midnight Commander will prompt you to enter the password for the remote account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The password prompt typically appears in the lower status bar of the application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Enter the password and press:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>Enter<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_5_Browse_the_Remote_Server\"><\/span>Step 5: Browse the Remote Server<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the credentials are correct, Midnight Commander will establish the SFTP connection and display the remote server&#8217;s directory structure in the selected panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Browse files and directories<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create folders<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rename files<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Delete files (if permissions allow)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_6_Copy_Files_Between_Servers\"><\/span>Step 6: Copy Files Between Servers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To transfer files:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Navigate to the desired file or folder.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Highlight the item.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Press:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>F5<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">or select:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>Copy<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">from the bottom menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Confirm the destination path.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Midnight Commander will transfer the files directly between the servers without storing them on your local computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Useful_Keyboard_Shortcuts\"><\/span>Useful Keyboard Shortcuts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Key<\/th><th>Function<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>F5<\/td><td>Copy<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>F6<\/td><td>Move \/ Rename<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>F7<\/td><td>Create Directory<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>F8<\/td><td>Delete<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>TAB<\/td><td>Switch between panels<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>F10<\/td><td>Exit Midnight Commander<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Troubleshooting\"><\/span>Troubleshooting<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Connection_Failed\"><\/span>Connection Failed<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Verify:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The hostname is correct.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SSH access is enabled on the remote server.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Port 22 is accessible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The username is valid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Authentication_Error\"><\/span>Authentication Error<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Username spelling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Password accuracy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whether the account supports SSH\/SFTP access<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Permission_Denied\"><\/span>Permission Denied<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may not have sufficient permissions to access the requested directory or file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Contact the server administrator if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Summary\"><\/span>Summary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To connect to an external server via SFTP using Midnight Commander:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Connect to your hosting account using SSH.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Run:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>mc<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open <strong>Left<\/strong> or <strong>Right<\/strong> \u2192 <strong>SFTP Link<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enter:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>sh:\/\/username@server-address<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"5\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enter your password.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Browse the remote server.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use <strong>F5<\/strong> to copy files directly between servers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This method provides a fast and convenient way to transfer files between SSH-enabled servers without using an FTP client on your local machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","manualknowledgebasecat":[54],"manual_kb_tag":[4980,4981,4982,4983,398,747,749,4977,4978,4979],"class_list":["post-9705","manual_kb","type-manual_kb","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","manualknowledgebasecat-ssh","manual_kb_tag-remote-server","manual_kb_tag-server-to-server-transfer","manual_kb_tag-direct-file-transfer","manual_kb_tag-backup-transfer","manual_kb_tag-website-migration","manual_kb_tag-secure-shell","manual_kb_tag-file-transfer","manual_kb_tag-midnight-commander","manual_kb_tag-ssh-connection","manual_kb_tag-sftp-transfer"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/9705","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/manual_kb"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/9705\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9706,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/9705\/revisions\/9706"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9705"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"manualknowledgebasecat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manualknowledgebasecat?post=9705"},{"taxonomy":"manual_kb_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb_tag?post=9705"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}