Using the Built-In macOS FTP, TFTP, SFTP, and HTTP Servers

The macOS and OSX operating systems come with built in FTP, TFTP, SFTP, and HTTP servers. Here is how to enable them and use them.

FTP Server

To start an FTP server use this terminal command:

sudo -s launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/ftp.plist

Users will need to authenticate to the macOS system using standard logins that are already on the macOS. When someone logs in, they will arrive in /Users/<username>/.

To stop the FTP server, run the following:

sudo launchctl unload -F /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/ftp.plist

TFTP Server

sudo launchctl load -F /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist
sudo launchctl start com.apple.tftpd

The directory that serves files is /private/tftpboot.

To stop the TFTP server, either reboot or use this command:

sudo launchctl unload -F /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist

SFTP Server

This one is different. Go to system preferences then Sharing. Check the box to enabe Remote Login. Once this is done, other people will be able to ssh and sftp to your macOS system.

HTTP Server

Apache comes bundled with macOS. To start it, run this command.

sudo apachectl start

By default the files will be served from /Library/WebServer/Documents.

To disable the server, either reboot or do this command:

sudo apachectl stop

Checking Status

To check to see what’s running, run the command:

netstat -an | grep LISTEN

This will show you which ports are open on your macOS. For example if you have Apache running, you will see the following:

tcp46      0      0  *.80                   *.*                    LISTEN

• HTTP = TCP 80
• FTP = TCP 21
• SSH = TCP 22
• SFTP = TCP 22
• TFTP = UDP 69

Note that TFTP is on UDP and won’t say listen. Just run netstat -an | grep 69 to find if it’s running.