Tutorial to use the Mac Finder as FTP

A simple tutorial to configure the Mac Finder as an FTP client and be able to connect and transfer files with any server.

What FTP client do you use for Mac? Did you know that you don’t really need special software to connect to an FTP server and transfer files?

A few days ago I discovered a way to access a server via FTP without the need for an FTP client on a Mac. I found it interesting and perhaps useful for .com readers.

It is about using the program that OS X has to explore the computer’s file system, called Finder. Finder is a very simple program but we can extend it in some ways to make it even more useful. This is a clear example of this.

Below I outline the series of steps that would have to be carried out to use the Finder as an FTP client, that is, to connect your FTP to Finder.

1.- Connect to a server

Press “Ctrl” on your keyboard and click on the Finder icon in the program icon bar. In the context menu that appears, select “connect to server (connect to server…)”.

2.- Insert the server address

In the connection window you must enter the address of the FTP server to which you wish to connect. Something like ftp://myaddress.com and then hit the “connect” button.

3.- Write your access data

Now you will have to enter your login data on the FTP server, that is, your username and password. If you wish, you can check the option to remember your password; then you give “connect (connect)”.

With this you have left everything ready! It’s really easy.

You will then see the files from your FTP server within Finder itself and you will be able to perform the typical operations that are available with any other FTP client you are used to working with.