
Maybe a premium plugin you use requires you to upload a new version manually via FTP. You can easily force the deactivation of a plugin by renaming its folder (prefixing it with an underscore for example). Easy.īut for some tasks you have to have access to your files.įor instance, installing a mu-plugin can only be done by transferring the file directly into your wp-content/mu-plugins folder. Installing a plugin, a theme, or updating them only takes a few clicks. The WordPress administration is a fantastic tool for sure, and there are a lot of things you can do just by clicking a few links or buttons. Magic! Why would I need FTP when I can upload media, themes and plugins via the WordPress admin?

You can even directly open them in your text editor for a quick edit ! Open your file, make your changes, click “save” and it’s directly uploaded to your server. You can upload files from your computer to your host or download files from your remote WordPress installation to your computer. A FTP Client is a piece of software that allows you to connect to a remote server to transfer files. What is FTP?įTP simply means File Transfer Protocol. To learn how to create a WordPress website, read our detailed guide. When NOT to use FTP for your WordPress site.Why would I need FTP when I can upload media, themes and plugins via the WordPress admin?.If you used s to change your WordPress post URLs, you must make the change on your new installation by logging in to the WordPress Admin area, choosing "s" from the "Settings" menu and selecting the format you wish to use.ĭelete the files and database from your old server after allowing 24 to 48 hours for your DNS changes to propagate. If you see your site, you can change the DNS entries at your domain registrar to point to your new server. Most hosts give you a temporary IP address you can use instead of a domain name to view your site.

Open a Web browser and navigate to your new server. If you must make any changes, use your FTP application to upload the updated file and replace the existing copy on your new server. Open the copy of wp-config.php from your backup and make sure the database user name, password and hostname match those of your new database. To make the move as smooth as possible, create the database with the same name and password as the old one. Your Web host may offer a "backup wizard" in its control panel, or you can use the Import function of phpMyAdmin to add the data to a newly created database. Upload your WordPress backup to the new server using your FTP application.Ĭreate a new database on your new server and restore your data backup to that database. Your host may have a database backup function in its user control panel, or you can install the WP-DB-Backup plugin and back up your data from your WordPress admin area.

Download a copy of your database to your computer.
