Overview
Configuring your FTP client to show hidden files is a process that differs significantly between each FTP client. Instructions for doing so using many popular FTP clients are found below:
You should be using SFTP to connect (rather than FTP) since SFTP ensures a secure connection to your server.
If you are already connecting using SFTP, you may already be able to see hidden files. This depends on the client you're using.
Using FileZilla
- Click the Server tab at the top.
- Select Force showing hidden files.
Using CuteFTP 9.0
- Right-click within the server side window.
- Select the Filter… option
- Under Server side filtering select the Enable server side filtering (server applies filters) check box.
- Type -al in the Remote filter field box.
- Click Apply.
Using Fetch
- Upon opening Fetch, you will be presented with the following connection settings screen. Here is an example of connecting with a user named 'user' on the server charles-pickney:
- After you login, you'll see the content of your web server:
- Enable hidden files by navigating to 'Fetch > 'Preferences':
- Select the Miscellaneous tab.
- On this page make sure 'Omit hidden items whose names begin with a period' is UN-checked.
- Then check the box for 'Use 'LIST -al' command to reveal hidden items'.
- After making this change be sure to refresh your view by going to 'View > Refresh':
Using Transmit
- When you open Transmit, to the right you'll see your connection settings. This is a screenshot using an FTP user named 'user' and a server named 'charles-pickney':
- Once connected, you can enable hidden files by going to the menu at the top and selecting 'View > Show Invisible Files':
Using FTP Voyager
- Select the Site Profiles Manager option at the top left.
- Select Advanced Options on the window that comes up
- Select the Connection tab on the Site Profile Advanced Options window that opens.
- Under the General column, type the following next to the LIST Parameter field:
[server]$ -la
- Click OK.
