How to Install FileGator on Ubuntu Server

FileGator is a modern, web-based file manager written in PHP. It’s a clean alternative to legacy tools like net2ftp and works perfectly on Ubuntu Server with Apache or Nginx.

Step 1: Update System Packages

Always start clean.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Web Server and PHP

FileGator requires PHP and a web server.

Install Apache + PHP:

sudo apt install -y apache2 php php-cli php-common php-mbstring php-json php-zip php-curl php-gd unzip

Enable Apache:

sudo systemctl enable --now apache2

Verify PHP:

php -v

Step 3: Download FileGator

Move to web root:

cd /var/www/

Download the latest FileGator release:

sudo wget https://github.com/filegator/filegator/releases/latest/download/filegator.zip

Extract it:

sudo unzip filegator.zip
sudo mv filegator-master filegator

Set permissions:

sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/filegator
sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/filegator

Step 4: Configure Apache Virtual Host

Create config file:

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/filegator.conf

Paste:

<VirtualHost *:80>
    ServerName your-domain.com
    DocumentRoot /var/www/filegator/public

    <Directory /var/www/filegator/public>
        AllowOverride All
        Require all granted
    </Directory>

    ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/filegator-error.log
    CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/filegator-access.log combined
</VirtualHost>

Enable site and rewrite module:

sudo a2ensite filegator.conf
sudo a2enmod rewrite
sudo systemctl reload apache2

Step 5: Access FileGator Web Interface

Open browser:

http://your-server-ip/

http://your-domain.com/

Default login:

Username: admin
Password: admin

Change this immediately.

Step 6: Change Admin Credentials

Edit users config:

sudo nano /var/www/filegator/config/users.php

Replace default credentials with strong values.

Step 7: Set File Storage Directory

Edit main config:

sudo nano /var/www/filegator/config/config.php

Set storage path:

'root' => '/home/storage',

Create directory and set permissions:

sudo mkdir /home/storage
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /home/storage
sudo chmod -R 755 /home/storage

Optional Step: Enable HTTPS (Strongly Recommended)

Install Certbot:

sudo apt install -y certbot python3-certbot-apache
sudo certbot --apache

FileGator is a file manager, not a security system. If you expose it publicly without HTTPS, strong passwords, and proper permissions, that’s on you — not the software. Use it wisely or don’t use it at all.