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Transfer files using SCP (secure copy command)

Update 10/05/2026

This guide explains how to securely transfer files between your computer and the server of your web hosting using the SCP (secure copy command) protocol.

 

Introduction

  • To function, the SCP command requires:
    1. a source: a file/folder to transfer
    2. a destination: the address of the FTP server to perform the transfer
  • Data is automatically encrypted by SCP during the transfer.

 

Copy a local file to the server

Prerequisites

  • To obtain the FTP server address:
    1. Click here to access the hosting & site management section in your Infomaniak Manager (❓: help).
    2. Click on the name of the relevant hosting.
    3. Click on FTP / SSH in the left-hand menu:
    4. The host server address is displayed in the top left corner and can be copied:
  • To obtain the path to the destination folder:
    1. Click here to access the hosting & site management section in your Infomaniak Manager (❓: help).
    2. Click on the name of the hosting account in question.
    3. Click on More information (in the Information section).
    4. Copy the absolute path:
    5. Complete the absolute path with the desired destination folder.

 

Next, to copy a file from your computer, the command is structured as follows:

scp localmachine/path_to_the_file username@ftp_server_adress:/path_to_remote_directory

 

To copy an entire directory from your computer, you need to adapt the command as follows:

scp -r localmachine/path_to_the_file username@ftp_server_adress:/path_to_remote_directory

The entire folder will be transferred to your server.

 

To copy the entire contents of a directory from your computer, you need to adapt the command as follows:

scp -r localmachine/path_to_the_file/* username@ftp_server_adress:/path_to_remote_directory

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