What Is SFTP?
SFTP is SSH File Transfer Protocol, commonly used for secure access to servers and cloud instances. OurClone can use SFTP for sync, transfer, encrypted backup repositories, and mounting.
Official website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SSH_File_Transfer_Protocol
- Good for VPS, dedicated servers, and private file servers.
- Uses SSH credentials and encrypted transport.
- A strong choice for technical users who want cloud-like workflows on their own server.
What OurClone Supports for SFTP
| Operation | How it works in OurClone |
|---|---|
| Sync | Keep a folder on SFTP synchronized with another cloud storage account or a local folder. OurClone compares file changes and updates only what needs to change. |
| Transfer | Copy or move files between SFTP, your Mac, and other connected cloud providers. Transfers run through your local computer, so you stay in control of the data path. |
| Backup | Create an encrypted backup repository on SFTP, then save snapshots of local folders. Later snapshots are incremental, so unchanged files do not need to be uploaded again. |
| Mount | Mount SFTP as a local directory in macOS or Windows, then browse and manage remote files from the operating system file manager. |
SFTP Upload and Download Limits
These limits come from the storage provider or protocol, not from OurClone. OurClone still has to respect provider file-size caps, API quotas, bandwidth rules, account storage quota, and server-side throttling.
| Upload limits | No fixed public per-file upload limit was found in the provider documentation checked for this page. Practical limits depend on account storage quota, provider API throttling, file path rules, and network reliability. |
| Download limits | No fixed public download cap was found in the provider documentation checked for this page. Downloads may still be limited by bandwidth policy, sharing limits, API rate limits, or server configuration. |
| OurClone tip | For large OurClone sync, transfer, backup, or mount jobs, start with a small test folder, keep the computer awake, and check the Task log for provider throttling or quota errors. |
How to Add SFTP in OurClone
SFTP connects with server credentials in OurClone.
- Open OurClone and click Add Storage.
- Select SFTP.
- Enter the server host, username, password, and port. The default port is 22.
- Connect and confirm that the server appears as an available storage destination.
Sync and Transfer Workflow
After SFTP is connected, open the Migrate area in OurClone. Choose SFTP as the source or destination, select the folders you want to work with, then choose the task mode.
- Copy duplicates files while keeping the source unchanged.
- Move transfers files and removes them from the source after completion.
- Sync keeps the destination aligned with the source folder.
Task progress is visible in the Task tab, including completed, skipped, and failed files.
Backup Workflow
For backups, first create a backup repository on SFTP. A repository needs a name, a storage path, and an encryption password. Keep this password safe because it is required for both future snapshots and restores.
- Open Backup and create or choose a repository on SFTP.
- Open the repository and click New Backup.
- Select local folders such as
~/Documents,~/Pictures, or a project folder. - Start the snapshot. The first run uploads the full selection; later runs are incremental.
- Use Restore from a backup record when you need to recover files to a local directory.
Mount SFTP as a Local Folder
OurClone can mount SFTP as a local operating-system directory. This is useful when you want to browse cloud files in Finder or File Explorer, open files from desktop apps, or copy files with the same habits you use for local folders.
- Open the mount area in OurClone and select your connected SFTP account.
- Choose the remote path you want to expose locally.
- Pick a local mount point, then start the mount.
- When finished, unmount cleanly from OurClone before disconnecting your network or shutting down.
Best Practices for SFTP
- Use a clear folder naming convention such as
/ourclone-backups,/sync, or/archive. - Confirm that your SFTP account has enough storage before running a large migration or backup.
- Run a small test sync or restore before relying on a new workflow for important files.
- For large first-time jobs, keep your computer awake and connected to a stable network.
- If authentication fails later, reconnect the account or refresh the token before restarting the task.