Import your FileZilla sites into KongFTP

1. Understand what will be imported

KongFTP can read connections from a compatible FileZilla XML export: names, hosts, ports, usernames and supported settings. Importing adds sites to the local vault. It does not copy your remote files or connect to any server during analysis or saving.

Install KongFTP for your computer, then create and unlock your vault. The XML file must not be empty, must be no larger than 4 MB and may contain up to 500 sites.

A FileZilla export can contain readable or easily decoded passwords. Keep it on your computer and do not paste it into an online conversion tool. KongFTP analyzes the XML locally.

2. Export your sites from FileZilla

1. In FileZilla, open File → Export.
2. Select Export Site Manager entries, then confirm.
3. Save the XML file in a folder where you control access.

These steps are covered in FileZilla’s documentation on exporting connections. You can also use a FileZilla XML file supplied by your hosting provider. It may contain connection settings without a password: you will then need to enter the password when connecting.

3. Analyze the XML in KongFTP

1. In KongFTP’s sidebar, click Import XML.
2. Select your file. Optionally enter a group to keep the imported connections together.
3. Click Analyze file. This step displays a preview without saving any sites.

Review the results before continuing:

• Ready to add: compatible profiles that can be saved.
• Duplicates: connections that already exist; saved credentials are preserved.
• Unsupported profiles: connections that need manual configuration.
• Missing passwords: sites that can be used once you enter the password when connecting.

Passwords contained in the file are not displayed in the preview. KongFTP does not save a copy of the XML; your original file stays in the folder where you placed it.

4. Import and try a connection

If the preview matches the sites you expect, click Import. Valid sites are added to the encrypted vault. Existing profiles are not replaced and your FileZilla files are not modified.

Next, open an imported site from the sidebar. Check the host, protocol and remote folder, and enter the password if needed. For SFTP, follow the SSH fingerprint verification steps before your first transfer. Importing connection settings does not verify the server’s identity.

Once you have checked the import, keep the XML in a protected location if you need it as a backup, or delete it if you no longer need it.

Limitations and common problems

FileZilla master password

KongFTP cannot convert passwords encrypted with FileZilla’s master password. These profiles are flagged and skipped. Add them manually using your credentials; you do not need to remove protection from your FileZilla configuration.

Private key authentication

XML profiles using private keys need manual configuration. Create an SFTP site in KongFTP and enter the path to your local key.

FTP profile imported as FTPS

Compatible FTP profiles are imported with FTPS required. If the server does not offer TLS, ask your provider for available SFTP or FTPS settings. Importing does not automatically fall back to unencrypted FTP.

Rejected XML or skipped profile

Check that the file is a FileZilla site export and meets the file size and site count limits. Some authentication methods and non-Unix remote folders are unsupported. Files containing a DTD are rejected.