{"id":"cloud-accounts.sftp-password-or-private-key","url":"/faq/cloud-accounts/sftp-password-or-private-key","category":{"id":"cloud-accounts","title":"Cloud accounts"},"subcategory":{"id":"ftp-sftp","title":"FTP and SFTP servers"},"question":"Should I sign in to SFTP with a password or a private key?","alt_questions":["SFTP key authentication Storage Studio","Use SSH key for SFTP in Storage Studio","Password vs key SFTP","Sign in with private key option","Which SFTP sign-in method is safer?"],"short_answer":"A private key is usually stronger if your server supports it; a password is fine otherwise. Choose with Sign in with in the SFTP form. Key files (OpenSSH or PEM) stay on your Mac and are never uploaded.","answer_markdown":"A private key is generally the stronger choice if your server supports it; a password is fine if that's what your host gives you. Pick one with the **Sign in with** switch in the SFTP form.\n\n- **Password** — type it in; the strength meter must reach at least *Fair* before you can save.\n- **Private key** — click **Browse…** to choose your key file. Standard OpenSSH key files and PEM files both work. If the key is protected with a passphrase, type it in the field below.\n\nWith a key, the key file stays on your Mac and is read from there on each connection — it's never uploaded anywhere.","answer_html":"

A private key is generally the stronger choice if your server supports it; a password is fine if that's what your host gives you. Pick one with the Sign in with switch in the SFTP form.

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With a key, the key file stays on your Mac and is read from there on each connection — it's never uploaded anywhere.

","answer_text":"A private key is generally the stronger choice if your server supports it; a password is fine if that's what your host gives you. Pick one with the Sign in with switch in the SFTP form.\n\n- Password — type it in; the strength meter must reach at least Fair before you can save.\n- Private key — click Browse… to choose your key file. Standard OpenSSH key files and PEM files both work. If the key is protected with a passphrase, type it in the field below.\n\nWith a key, the key file stays on your Mac and is read from there on each connection — it's never uploaded anywhere.","tags":["sftp","ssh key","security"],"related":[{"id":"cloud-accounts.how-do-i-add-an-sftp-server","question":"How do I add an SFTP server to Storage Studio?","url":"/faq/cloud-accounts/how-do-i-add-an-sftp-server"},{"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":"Should I sign in to SFTP with a password or a private key? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"A private key is usually stronger if your server supports it; a password is fine otherwise. Choose with Sign in with in the SFTP form. Key files (OpenSSH or PEM) stay on your Mac and are never uploaded.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Cloud accounts","path":"/faq/cloud-accounts/"},{"name":"Should I sign in to SFTP with a password or a private key?","path":"/faq/cloud-accounts/sftp-password-or-private-key"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/cloud-accounts/sftp-password-or-private-key","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Should I sign in to SFTP with a password or a private key?","alternateName":["SFTP key authentication Storage Studio","Use SSH key for SFTP in Storage Studio","Password vs key SFTP","Sign in with private key option","Which SFTP sign-in method is safer?"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A private key is generally the stronger choice if your server supports it; a password is fine if that's what your host gives you. Pick one with the Sign in with switch in the SFTP form.\n\n- Password — type it in; the strength meter must reach at least Fair before you can save.\n- Private key — click Browse… to choose your key file. Standard OpenSSH key files and PEM files both work. If the key is protected with a passphrase, type it in the field below.\n\nWith a key, the key file stays on your Mac and is read from there on each connection — it's never uploaded anywhere.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/cloud-accounts/sftp-password-or-private-key"}}]},"fragment":"
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Cloud accounts · FTP and SFTP servers

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Should I sign in to SFTP with a password or a private key?

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Short answer: A private key is usually stronger if your server supports it; a password is fine otherwise. Choose with Sign in with in the SFTP form. Key files (OpenSSH or PEM) stay on your Mac and are never uploaded.

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A private key is generally the stronger choice if your server supports it; a password is fine if that's what your host gives you. Pick one with the Sign in with switch in the SFTP form.

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  • Password — type it in; the strength meter must reach at least Fair before you can save.
  • Private key — click Browse… to choose your key file. Standard OpenSSH key files and PEM files both work. If the key is protected with a passphrase, type it in the field below.
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With a key, the key file stays on your Mac and is read from there on each connection — it's never uploaded anywhere.

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Last reviewed

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