Log in to cPanel and open Files → File Manager. Your website lives in the public_html folder, and the toolbar at the top lets you upload, edit, move, compress, extract and delete files.
- Log in to cPanel and open Files → File Manager. It opens in a new browser tab.
- The left side shows your folders; the right side lists what is in the open folder. Your main website is in
public_html. Double-click a folder to open it, and click Up One Level to go back. - Click a file once to select it, then choose an action from the toolbar. Right-clicking the file shows the same options.
Common jobs
| To do this | Use |
|---|---|
| Upload files | Upload. For many files, upload one .zip, then select it and click Extract |
Edit a file, such as .htaccess or wp-config.php | Select it and click Edit, then Save Changes |
| Download a folder | Select it, click Compress to make a .zip, then Download the .zip |
| Move or rename | Move or Rename |
| Fix permissions | Permissions: 644 for files, 755 for folders |
| Make a new file or folder | + File or + Folder |
Show hidden files
Files whose names start with a dot, such as .htaccess, are hidden at first. Click Settings at the top right, tick Show Hidden Files (dotfiles) and click Save.
Deleting and the trash
Deleted files go to the trash unless you tick the option to skip it. To get one back, click View Trash, select the file and click Restore. Files in the trash still use your disk space, so click Empty Trash once you are sure (see What is using my disk space?).
Tip: Before editing a file, use Copy to save a spare, for example .htaccess-backup. If the site breaks after your change, put the copy back.
File Manager works in a phone browser, but it is far easier on a computer. For big uploads, especially over mobile data, use FTP, which can resume if the connection drops.
Still stuck? Open a support ticket with your domain name and what you see, or message us on WhatsApp.
Updated 6 November 2026. Something here out of date? Tell us.