{"id":"cloud-accounts.sftp-key-passphrase","url":"/faq/cloud-accounts/sftp-key-passphrase","category":{"id":"cloud-accounts","title":"Cloud accounts"},"subcategory":{"id":"ftp-sftp","title":"FTP and SFTP servers"},"question":"Do I need to enter a passphrase for my SFTP key?","alt_questions":["Key passphrase field SFTP","Encrypted SSH key Storage Studio","SFTP key has a passphrase","Leave key passphrase blank?","Passphrase strength for SSH key"],"short_answer":"Only if your key has one. Leave it blank for an unprotected key; otherwise type it in. The passphrase is strength-checked and stored in Storage Studio's encrypted vault on your Mac.","answer_markdown":"Only if your key is protected by one. Leave **Key passphrase** blank for a key without a passphrase; if the key has one, type it in so Storage Studio can unlock the key when it connects.\n\nA passphrase you enter is checked by the strength meter and kept in Storage Studio's encrypted vault on your Mac. If Test connection fails right after adding, a wrong or missing passphrase is a likely cause — click **Edit** and re-enter it.","answer_html":"

Only if your key is protected by one. Leave Key passphrase blank for a key without a passphrase; if the key has one, type it in so Storage Studio can unlock the key when it connects.

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A passphrase you enter is checked by the strength meter and kept in Storage Studio's encrypted vault on your Mac. If Test connection fails right after adding, a wrong or missing passphrase is a likely cause — click Edit and re-enter it.

","answer_text":"Only if your key is protected by one. Leave Key passphrase blank for a key without a passphrase; if the key has one, type it in so Storage Studio can unlock the key when it connects.\n\nA passphrase you enter is checked by the strength meter and kept in Storage Studio's encrypted vault on your Mac. If Test connection fails right after adding, a wrong or missing passphrase is a likely cause — click Edit and re-enter it.","tags":["sftp","ssh key","passphrase"],"related":[{"id":"cloud-accounts.how-do-i-pick-an-ssh-key-file","question":"How do I choose my SSH key file when the .ssh folder is hidden?","url":"/faq/cloud-accounts/how-do-i-pick-an-ssh-key-file"},{"id":"cloud-accounts.password-strength-meter-explained","question":"What does the password strength meter mean, and why can't I save a weak password?","url":"/faq/cloud-accounts/password-strength-meter-explained"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"Do I need to enter a passphrase for my SFTP key? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"Only if your key has one. Leave it blank for an unprotected key; otherwise type it in. The passphrase is strength-checked and stored in Storage Studio's encrypted vault on your Mac.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Cloud accounts","path":"/faq/cloud-accounts/"},{"name":"Do I need to enter a passphrase for my SFTP key?","path":"/faq/cloud-accounts/sftp-key-passphrase"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/cloud-accounts/sftp-key-passphrase","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Do I need to enter a passphrase for my SFTP key?","alternateName":["Key passphrase field SFTP","Encrypted SSH key Storage Studio","SFTP key has a passphrase","Leave key passphrase blank?","Passphrase strength for SSH key"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Only if your key is protected by one. Leave Key passphrase blank for a key without a passphrase; if the key has one, type it in so Storage Studio can unlock the key when it connects.\n\nA passphrase you enter is checked by the strength meter and kept in Storage Studio's encrypted vault on your Mac. If Test connection fails right after adding, a wrong or missing passphrase is a likely cause — click Edit and re-enter it.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/cloud-accounts/sftp-key-passphrase"}}]},"fragment":"
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Cloud accounts · FTP and SFTP servers

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Do I need to enter a passphrase for my SFTP key?

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Short answer: Only if your key has one. Leave it blank for an unprotected key; otherwise type it in. The passphrase is strength-checked and stored in Storage Studio's encrypted vault on your Mac.

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Only if your key is protected by one. Leave Key passphrase blank for a key without a passphrase; if the key has one, type it in so Storage Studio can unlock the key when it connects.

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A passphrase you enter is checked by the strength meter and kept in Storage Studio's encrypted vault on your Mac. If Test connection fails right after adding, a wrong or missing passphrase is a likely cause — click Edit and re-enter it.

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Last reviewed

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