How To Install And Configure Termux FTP Server On Android?

Hello readers, in this blog post we are going to see what is FTP and stuff and how to install and configure Termux FTP Server.

What Is FTP?

The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol used to transfer files between computers or other compatible devices over Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) connections. FTP is built on a client–server model architecture using separate control and data connections between the client and the server. FTP users may authenticate themselves with a clear-text sign-in protocol, normally in the form of a username and password, but can connect anonymously if the server is configured to allow it.

FTP Server

The FTP server is a computer that runs an FTP server software application. The FTP server software listens for incoming connections from FTP clients and responds to their commands. The FTP server software also stores the files that are transferred by FTP clients.

Here are some popular FTP servers:

• FileZilla Server
• vsftpd
• SmartFTP
• Core FTP
• FireFTP
• ProFTPD

FTP Client

The FTP client is a software utility that establishes a connection between a host computer and a remote server, typically an FTP server. The client uses the control connection to send commands to the server and to receive responses from the server. The client uses the data connection to transfer files between the host computer and the remote server.

Here are some popular FTP clients:

• FileZilla
• WinSCP
• Transmit
• Cyberduck
• CuteFTP

It is posible to install and use FTP Server on Android. There are many apps available that offer both FTP Server and Client. In this blog post I will show you how to use Termux FTP Server on Android.

Install Termux FTP Server On Android.

Termux FTP server is based on busybox and allows users to connect Anonymously.  Service can be managed by the Termux-Services.

Benifits of Termux FTP Server

• It is easy to set up.
• It is portable.
• Backing up your files.
• Sharing files with others.
• Accessing files from a remote device.

If you decided to use Termux FTP server, follow these steps:

pkg upd; pkg upg

pkg i busybox termux-services

Start FTP Server

busybox tcpsvd -vE 0.0.0.0 8021 busybox ftpd $HOME

Where $HOME [Optional] is the path of the directory that will be available in FTP Client when user connect to it.

Or if you have properly setup busybox then type.

tcpsvd -vE 0.0.0.0 8021 ftpd 

This will start FTP Server and allows you to connect Anonymously.

Read here to know how to setup busybox properly.

Connect To Turmux FTP Server

Host / IP : localhost

Port : 8021

ftp localhost 8021

Press enter. It may ask Username, press enter again and you will be connected to the Termux FTP Server.

Manage by servises

If you want to start Termux FTP Server as Service you need to install Termux-Services.

pkg i termux-services

source $PREFIX/etc/profile.d/start-services.sh

Start and stop ftpd service

To start FTP Server

sv up ftpd

To Stop FTP Server

sv down ftpd

Automaticaly start FTP Server On Termux Start.

For this you have to enable the ftpd service

sv-enable ftpd

To disable this

sv-disable ftpd

Connect To Termux FTP Server

You can test FTP Server is running or not in Termux with following command.

ftp localhost 8021

If everything is fine you will see successful message `Connected to localhost`. If yes then you have successfully Installed and Configured Termux FTP Server on Android.

Conclusion

Installing Termux FTP Server can be very usefull action as it unlock meny benefits like sharing files to other devices, backing up your data, Viewing managing Termux container files from other GUI Apps etc. However The Termux FTP server is not secure. It only supports anonymous login. Use this only in your Local Area Network, don’t use this over Internet.