> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.runpod.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Transfer files

> Move files between your local machine and Pods with a variety of secure transfer methods.

## Choose your transfer method

Runpod supports four different file transfer methods, each optimized for specific use cases:

| Method         | Best for                          | Setup required           | File size limit       |
| -------------- | --------------------------------- | ------------------------ | --------------------- |
| **runpodctl**  | Quick, occasional transfers       | Preinstalled on Pods     | Small to medium files |
| **SCP**        | Standard file operations          | SSH configuration        | Any size              |
| **rsync**      | Large datasets, syncing           | SSH + rsync installation | Any size              |
| **Cloud sync** | Backup, multi-environment sharing | Cloud provider setup     | Provider dependent    |

### runpodctl

The simplest option for occasional transfers. Uses secure one-time codes and requires no setup since it's pre-installed on all Pods. Perfect for quick file exchanges.

To install `runpodctl` on your local machine, see the [installation guide](/runpodctl/overview).

### SCP

A reliable, standard method that works over SSH. Ideal for users comfortable with command-line tools who need to transfer both individual files and directories.

To configure your Pod for SSH access, see the ([SSH setup guide](/pods/configuration/use-ssh)).

### rsync

The most powerful option, featuring incremental transfers, compression, and detailed progress reporting. Essential for large datasets, regular synchronization, and preserving file attributes.

To set up `rsync`:

* Configure SSH access (same as for SCP).
* Install rsync on both machines: `apt install rsync`
* Ensure your local machine is running a Linux or WSL environment.

### Cloud sync

Direct synchronization with cloud storage providers like AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage, or Dropbox. Best for creating backups or sharing files across multiple environments.

To learn more, see the [cloud sync configuration guide](/pods/storage/cloud-sync).

## Transfer with runpodctl

The [Runpod CLI](/runpodctl/overview) offers the most straightforward approach to file transfer using secure one-time codes. This method works great for occasional transfers but consider other options for large files.

### Send a file

From the source machine (your local computer or a Pod), run:

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
runpodctl send YOUR_FILE
```

You'll see output like this:

```text theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
Sending 'YOUR_FILE' (5 B)
Code is: 8338-galileo-collect-fidel
On the other computer run

runpodctl receive 8338-galileo-collect-fidel
```

The code `8338-galileo-collect-fidel` is your unique, one-time transfer code.

### Receive a file

On the destination machine, use the code provided by the send command:

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
runpodctl receive 8338-galileo-collect-fidel
```

You'll see confirmation of the transfer:

```text theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
Receiving 'YOUR_FILE' (5 B)

Receiving (<-149.36.0.243:8692)
data.txt 100% |████████████████████| ( 5/ 5B, 0.040 kB/s)
```

## Transfer with SCP

SCP provides reliable file transfer over SSH connections. Use this method when you need standard command-line file operations.

### Basic syntax

The general format for SCP commands (replace `43201` and `194.26.196.6` with your Pod's port and IP):

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
scp -P 43201 -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 /local/file/path root@194.26.196.6:/destination/file/path
```

<Tip>
  If your private key is stored elsewhere or you're using Windows Command Prompt, update the key path accordingly. For quick one-time setups, consider [password-based SSH](/pods/configuration/use-ssh#password-based-ssh).
</Tip>

### Send files to your Pod

Transfer a single file:

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
scp -P 43201 -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 ~/documents/example.txt root@194.26.196.6:/root/example.txt
```

Transfer a directory (use `-r` for recursive copying):

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
scp -r -P 43201 -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 ~/documents/example_dir root@194.26.196.6:/root/example_dir
```

### Download files from your Pod

Simply reverse the source and destination:

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
scp -P 43201 -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 root@194.26.196.6:/root/example.txt ~/documents/example.txt
```

## Transfer with rsync

`rsync` offers advanced synchronization features and is the best choice for large datasets or regular backup operations.

<Warning>
  `rsync` requires a Linux environment or WSL on Windows.
</Warning>

### Basic syntax

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
rsync -e "ssh -p 43201" /source/file/path root@194.26.196.6:/destination/file/path
```

### Essential flags

* `-a` (archive) - Preserves permissions, timestamps, and attributes (essential for directories)
* `-v` (verbose) - Shows detailed transfer information
* `-z` (compress) - Compresses data during transfer (saves bandwidth, uses more CPU)
* `-p` (progress) - Displays transfer progress
* `-d` (delete) - Removes files from destination that don't exist in source

### Send files to your Pod

Transfer with progress and compression:

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
rsync -avz -e "ssh -p 43201" ~/documents/example.txt root@194.26.196.6:/root/example.txt
```

### Download from your Pod

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
rsync -avz -e "ssh -p 43201" root@194.26.196.6:/root/example.txt ~/documents/example.txt
```

### Directory synchronization

Transfer directory contents only (note the trailing slash):

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
rsync -avz -e "ssh -p 43201" ~/documents/example_dir/ root@194.26.196.6:/root/example_dir/
```

Transfer the directory itself (no trailing slash):

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
rsync -avz -e "ssh -p 43201" ~/documents/example_dir root@194.26.196.6:/root/
```

### Incremental transfers

rsync's key advantage is intelligent synchronization. Files that already exist at the destination aren't transferred again:

First transfer (full copy):

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
rsync -avz -e "ssh -p 43201" ~/documents/example.txt root@194.26.196.6:/root/example.txt
sending incremental file list
example.txt
             119 100%    0.00kB/s    0:00:00 (xfr#1, to-chk=0/1)

sent 243 bytes  received 35 bytes  185.33 bytes/sec
total size is 119  speedup is 0.43
```

Second transfer (minimal data):

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
rsync -avz -e "ssh -p 43201" ~/documents/example.txt root@194.26.196.6:/root/example.txt
sending incremental file list

sent 120 bytes  received 12 bytes  88.00 bytes/sec
total size is 119  speedup is 0.90
```

## Sync with cloud storage

Connect your Pod storage directly to cloud providers for seamless backup and synchronization.

To set up cloud sync:

1. Navigate to your **My Pods** page
2. Click the **Cloud Sync** option for your Pod
3. Follow the provider-specific configuration steps

For detailed setup instructions with AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage, Azure, Backblaze, and Dropbox, see the [cloud sync configuration guide](/pods/storage/cloud-sync).

## Transfer with Google Drive

You can also use these Colab notebooks to transfer files between Pods and Google Drive:

* [Send files](https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1UaODD9iGswnKF7SZfsvwHDGWWwLziOsr#scrollTo=2nlcIAY3gGLt)
* [Receive files](https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1ot8pODgystx1D6_zvsALDSvjACBF1cj6#scrollTo=RF1bMqhBOpSZ)

## Troubleshooting

Here are some common issues and possible fixes:

**Connection refused errors:**

* Verify SSH is properly configured on your Pod.
* Check that the correct port and IP address are being used.
* Ensure port 22 is exposed in your Pod configuration.

**Permission denied:**

* Confirm your SSH key is correctly specified with `-i`
* Verify the key has appropriate permissions (`chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_ed25519`)
* Try password-based authentication for quick tests.

**Large file transfers timing out:**

* Use `rsync` instead of SCP for better reliability.
* Add the `-z` flag to compress data during transfer.
* Consider splitting very large files before transfer.