Alright, I’m just gonna say it—Finder connecting via FTP is super barebones, and honestly, half the time, it gives me “connection failed” popups if the server is a little weird or uses anything besides vanilla FTP. @mikeappsreviewer covered CloudMounter and nailed the basics, but there’s a whole world beyond Finder and “one app to rule them all.”
If you’re getting connection errors, double-check the protocol! Finder only does plain ol’ FTP—no SFTP, no FTPS. Your server might require encryption, and macOS Finder will just throw a hissy fit and say nada about why it won’t connect.
Also (hot take alert), I’ve never loved relying on Finder because transferring big files is sloooow, sometimes stalls, and it won’t let you resume—you’re stuck restarting if you lose your connection. CloudMounter’s cool, sure (props for multi-cloud mounting in Finder), but don’t sleep on legit FTP clients like Cyberduck or FileZilla. Those let you edit files directly on the server, queue uploads, monitor transfer speeds, and work with every secure protocol under the sun.
Here’s what I do:
- Diagnose first. What’s the error message? Is it “Can’t connect” or “Authentication failed”?
- Try a real FTP client. Download Cyberduck (free), punch in your details, and see if you connect. If you make it, Finder is just being picky.
- Still failing? Check with your host: Maybe firewall ports aren’t open, or your credentials are off. Passive vs. active mode can matter here—a lot of firewalls block active FTP.
- If you need smooth integration in Finder, CloudMounter is sweet, but know it’s not free forever—be ready for the upsell. Worth it if you want everything in one place.
TL;DR:
- Finder is fine if you’re using basic FTP, but don’t be surprised if it flakes.
- Check your server’s protocol requirements—secure FTP or SFTP? Finder won’t handle it.
- A real FTP client (Cyberduck/FileZilla) almost always solves weird issues.
- For seamless integration and multi-cloud stuff, CloudMounter’s as good as it gets, just be aware of the limitations (and price tag if you go premium).
FTP on a Mac is like using Siri with a heavy accent—sometimes it works, often you’re left yelling at your screen. Try a dedicated app before you toss your laptop out the window.