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SFTP is the secure standard for transferring files between machines, and ShellPilot brings it to Android with a clean, mobile-native interface. The same connection profile you use for SSH also works for SFTP — one app, both protocols.
The SFTP file browser shows directory listings with file sizes, timestamps, and permissions. You can navigate up and down the directory tree, open text files for quick viewing, and download files directly to your phone's local storage. For deployments and incident response, being able to pull a log file or config off a server from your phone is genuinely valuable.
Uploading works in both directions. Need to push a config update to a server? Select a file from your phone, choose the destination directory, and ShellPilot transfers it over the authenticated SFTP connection. File permissions on the remote side are preserved, and you can set them manually if needed.
ShellPilot's SFTP and SSH features work together seamlessly. You can start an SSH terminal session, notice a file you need to inspect more closely, switch to the SFTP browser and download it, review it in the built-in viewer, then jump back to the terminal. The app keeps both connections active so you don't lose your session.
What you get
How to transfer files to a server over SFTP on Android
- 1
Install ShellPilot
Download ShellPilot free from Google Play — it includes a built-in SFTP client.
- 2
Connect to your server
Use the same host profile as SSH — address, port, username, and password or key.
- 3
Browse the file system
Open the SFTP browser to navigate directories and view files, sizes, and permissions.
- 4
Upload or download
Download a file to your phone, or upload one from local storage to the server.
Who uses ShellPilot
Pull a log file off a server
Browse to the log directory, download the file to your phone, and review it in the built-in viewer.
Push a config update
Select a file from your phone, choose the destination directory, and transfer it over SFTP.
Inspect a file mid-session
Notice something in the terminal, switch to SFTP, download and view the file, then jump back.
Frequently asked questions
Does ShellPilot include SFTP?
Yes. ShellPilot has a built-in SFTP client that shares connection profiles with its SSH terminal — one app for both.
Can I upload and download files?
Yes, in both directions. Download server files to your phone's storage and upload local files to any remote directory.
Are file permissions preserved?
Remote file permissions are displayed and preserved on transfer, and you can modify them manually when needed.
Is it secure?
SFTP runs over the encrypted SSH connection with password or private-key authentication.
Ready to try ShellPilot?
Free to download. No subscription required to get started.
Download Free on Google Play