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Upload Files to S3

Learn how to upload and manage files and folders in your Amazon S3 bucket using the AWS Management Console.

10 minutes
Beginner

Overview

Once you've created an Amazon S3 bucket, the next step is to upload your files to it. S3 is a versatile service that can store everything from website assets to application backups. This guide will show you how to easily upload files and folders using the AWS Management Console.

Prerequisites

  • An active AWS account
  • An existing S3 bucket

Step 1: Access Your S3 Bucket

Navigate to the S3 bucket where you want to store your files.

  1. Sign in to the AWS Management Console
  2. Go to the S3 dashboard
  3. Click on the name of your S3 bucket from the list

You will now be inside the bucket's dashboard, which displays all the objects (files and folders) it contains.

Step 2: Upload Files and Folders

The upload process is straightforward and can be done via drag-and-drop or by selecting files.

  1. Click the "Upload" button
  2. You will be taken to the upload page

Different Upload Methods

  • Add files: Click the "Add files" button to open your file browser and select the files you want to upload.
  • Add folder: Click the "Add folder" button to select an entire folder from your computer. S3 will maintain the folder structure.
  • Drag and drop: You can also drag files and folders directly from your desktop onto the upload page.

File Options

Before you finalize the upload, you can configure settings for the objects being uploaded:

  • Permissions: You can set access control lists (ACLs) for individual objects, but it's generally recommended to manage permissions using bucket policies or IAM policies.
  • Storage Class: Choose a storage class (e.g., Standard, Intelligent-Tiering, Glacier) based on your access patterns and cost requirements.
  • Encryption: Ensure server-side encryption is enabled for data at rest.

Once your files are added and options are set, click the "Upload" button at the bottom of the page.

Step 3: View Your Uploaded Objects

After the upload is complete, you'll be redirected to your bucket's main page. You should now see the files and folders you uploaded listed in the contents panel.

  • The "Size" column shows the size of each file
  • The "Last modified" column shows the timestamp of the last upload

Step 4: Access Your Objects

To access an object, you need its URL. Click on the object name in the list, and you will see its properties, including its "Object URL".

Making an Object Public

By default, objects in S3 are not publicly accessible. If you need to make a file public (e.g., for a website image), you must explicitly grant public read access.

  1. Click on the object name in your bucket
  2. Go to the "Permissions" tab
  3. Under "Object Ownership", ensure "ACLs enabled" is selected
  4. Under "Access Control List (ACL)", click "Edit"
  5. For the "Everyone (public access)" row, check the "Read" checkbox
  6. Acknowledge the warning and save changes

Once done, anyone with the object URL can now view the file.

Next Steps

You have successfully uploaded files to your S3 bucket. You can now:

  • Use S3 as a host for static websites
  • Integrate S3 with a Content Delivery Network (CDN) like Amazon CloudFront
  • Set up lifecycle rules to automatically manage object storage and costs

Continue with our next guide to learn about CDN services with CloudFront.