SwiftSCP

Support

Help for SwiftSCP on macOS

Email jordan@k9fax.us. You'll usually get an answer within a couple of business days.

SwiftSCP also has built-in help. Choose Help > SwiftSCP Help or press ⌘? in the app.

Getting connected

  1. Open the Site Manager. It opens when SwiftSCP starts, or press ⇧⌘K.
  2. Select New Site and choose the protocol. SFTP is right for most Linux and macOS servers.
  3. Enter the host name and your user name. Enter a password if your server uses one.
  4. Click Login. Click Save first if you want to keep the site.

If something fails, open the Session Log with ⌥⌘L. It shows each step of the connection and the server's replies. Passwords are never written to it.

Common questions

SwiftSCP asks for permission to open a folder on my Mac

Apps from the Mac App Store can only use folders you choose. SwiftSCP can always use your Downloads folder. For any other folder, click Allow Access in the left pane and select the folder. SwiftSCP remembers it, also after a restart.

Allow a higher folder, such as your home folder, to cover many folders at once. You can see and remove allowed folders in Settings > Folder Access.

My private key can't be read

Open the site settings and click Choose next to Private key file. Select the key again. This gives SwiftSCP permission to read it. A key path typed by hand can't be read.

SwiftSCP reads OpenSSH, PEM and PuTTY .ppk keys. Encrypted PuTTY version 3 keys need to be converted first: in PuTTYgen choose Conversions > Export OpenSSH key.

My server asks for a verification code

SwiftSCP supports servers that ask for a password and then a code, such as Google Authenticator or Duo. A dialog asks for the code. If the site has a saved password, SwiftSCP fills it in and asks only for the code.

The login timer pauses while the dialog is open, but most servers still give up after about two minutes. If the code is rejected, wait for a new code and try again.

Can I use my SSH agent or the 1Password SSH agent?

Not in the Mac App Store version. macOS does not allow App Store apps to connect to an SSH agent. Use a key file chosen with the Choose button instead. Passwords and two-step sign-in work as usual.

I'm asked for my password again and again

The server rejected the password. Check the user name as well. If your server also asks for a code, a wrong or expired code gives the same result. A new password you type is saved to the Keychain once the login works.

The connection times out

Check the host name and port, and that a firewall or VPN isn't blocking the connection. On a slow network, raise the timeout in the site settings under Advanced.

I can log in, but SFTP doesn't start

SwiftSCP switches to SCP on the same connection when it can. If that fails too, the error message says why. Common causes:

  • SFTP is turned off on the server. The Subsystem sftp line in /etc/ssh/sshd_config is missing or points to a program that doesn't exist.
  • A startup file such as ~/.bashrc on the server prints text and then stops the login. Make it print only in interactive shells.
  • The account only allows certain commands. Ask the server administrator.
The server key has changed

This happens after a server is reinstalled or gets new keys. It can also mean someone is intercepting the connection. Only click Update if you know why the key changed. If you're not sure, ask the server administrator. You can remove saved keys in Settings > Known Hosts.

FTPS doesn't connect

SwiftSCP requires TLS 1.2 or later. Very old servers may need an update. If the login works but transfers fail, try Explicit TLS instead of Implicit TLS, or check that the server allows passive mode.

A transfer failed

Right-click the transfer in the queue and choose Copy Error Details. Click the retry button to run it again. When asked, choose Resume to continue from where it stopped.

I closed the window before my edited file was uploaded

SwiftSCP keeps the file. Look in the SwiftSCP Unsaved Edits folder in Downloads, then upload it again after you reconnect.

How do I import my sites from WinSCP?

In WinSCP on Windows, choose Tools > Export/Backup Configuration. Copy the .ini file to your Mac. In SwiftSCP, choose Import from WinSCP.ini in the Site Manager. Saved passwords are moved to the Keychain, unless the export used a WinSCP master password.

Reporting a problem

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