---
title: "Move recordings to an SFTP server"
description: "Connect an SFTP destination, verify its host key, and move encrypted recording audio."
updated: "2026-09-21"
canonical: https://docs.recordstead.app/your-data/sftp-storage
---

# Move recordings to an SFTP server

Connect an SFTP server you control to store encrypted recording audio. The
meeting library stays on this Mac, so the server alone is not its backup.

## Connect the server

1. Open **Settings…** (⌘,) › **Storage** › **Recordings storage**. Click
   **Choose…**, or **Manage…** if a destination is already active.
2. Choose **Add destination…** › **SFTP…**.
3. Enter the host, port, username and remote path. Choose password or Ed25519
   private-key authentication; a private key can also have a passphrase.
4. Click **Test connection**. Compare the displayed host-key fingerprint with
   one you obtained from your server administrator. Only then click
   **Trust & Save**.
5. Select this destination to make it active for future moves.

The test writes, reads and deletes its own test file, not archived audio. If
the server key later changes, verify why before accepting a new fingerprint.

## Move a recording

Right-click a meeting with local audio, open **Recording**, and choose the move
command naming your server. Keep the server reachable until the transfer
finishes. Recordstead removes the local original only after verifying the copy;
a failed transfer leaves it in place.

**Your result:** the meeting remains in Recordstead and its recording is stored
on the server. You can also [move eligible recordings automatically](https://docs.recordstead.app/your-data/automatic-recording-moves)
or [reconnect an archive](https://docs.recordstead.app/your-data/reconnect-recording-archive) later.