To add an SSH key while creating a DigitalOcean Droplet, first make sure you have a key pair, then attach its public key on the Droplet creation page. Select SSH key under Choose Authentication Method, add or select at least one public key, and create the Droplet. Keep the matching private key on your computer; that is what your SSH client uses to connect.
1. Create or find an SSH key pair
An SSH key pair has a public key, which you can give to DigitalOcean, and a private key, which must remain with you. DigitalOcean recommends SSH-key authentication over password-based authentication for logging in to Droplets. See its recommended Droplet setup.
Linux, macOS, or Windows Subsystem for Linux
Use OpenSSH’s ssh-keygen utility to generate a pair if you do not already have one. DigitalOcean documents the default filenames as ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 for the private key and ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub for the matching public key. Use the .pub file when adding a key. Its OpenSSH key guide explains the generation process.
Windows without Bash
DigitalOcean points Windows users without Bash to PuTTY and PuTTYgen for creating and using SSH keys. Follow its SSH key documentation for that workflow.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
2. Add the public key to your DigitalOcean team
If the key is not already available in the intended team, switch to that team in the Control Panel and open Settings → Security → SSH Keys → Add SSH Key. Paste the public-key text into Public Key, enter a recognizable Key Name, and save. The team key can then be selected for new Droplets. See DigitalOcean’s instructions for adding SSH keys to a team.
3. Attach the key during Droplet creation
- Open the Droplet creation page in the Control Panel.
- Under Choose Authentication Method, select SSH key.
- Choose Add SSH Key to add a public key from the page, or select a key already uploaded to the team.
- Confirm that at least one key is attached, then create the Droplet.
The public key is installed for authentication during creation. Keep the matching private key on the computer or in the secure location from which you will connect. DigitalOcean recommends protecting a private key with a passphrase. Avoid overwriting an existing key pair: if you lose the old private key, it will no longer authenticate to systems that rely on its matching public key.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
4. Import a key with doctl instead
If you prefer a terminal workflow, DigitalOcean documents this command to import a local public-key file into your account:
doctl compute ssh-key import <key-name> --public-key-file <path-to-public-key>
Replace <key-name> with a label and <path-to-public-key> with the path to your public-key file. Account import makes the key available when creating Droplets; it does not add the key to Droplets that already exist. The command reference is for doctl v1.177.0, generated 1 October 2026: doctl compute ssh-key import.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Control Panel or doctl?
| Route | Best suited to | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Control Panel | Visual setup or selecting a team key you will reuse | Uploads a public key to the team and lets you select it during creation. |
| doctl | Terminal-based provisioning | Imports a local public-key file into the account so it is available for new Droplets. |
Both routes prepare a key for a new Droplet. Neither account-level import nor adding a key to the team changes an existing server.
If the Droplet already exists
DigitalOcean says the Control Panel cannot add or modify SSH keys on a Droplet after creation. Updating an existing server requires command-line access or a recovery procedure, followed by installing the public key in the relevant user’s ~/.ssh/authorized_keys file. The documented manual procedure requires permissions of 700 for ~/.ssh and 600 for authorized_keys. Use DigitalOcean’s guidance for adding keys to existing Droplets and choose the method that matches your access situation.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Common problems and fixes
- The key is missing from the creation page: Confirm that you are in the intended team and that the public key was saved under Settings → Security → SSH Keys. Alternatively, use Add SSH Key on the creation page.
- You selected a key but cannot connect: Check that your local SSH client is using the private key that matches the selected public key. The public key alone cannot authenticate you.
- You imported a key with doctl, but an existing Droplet still rejects it: Account import only makes a key available for new Droplets. Install the public key on the existing server through command-line access or a recovery procedure.
- You replaced a key and lost access: The replacement pair does not match the old public key installed on a Droplet. Use another available access or recovery route to install the new public key; do not overwrite key pairs you still depend on.
- You cannot find the expected key file: Check the location where you generated or saved the pair. DigitalOcean’s documented OpenSSH defaults are
~/.ssh/id_ed25519and~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub; PuTTY users should follow the PuTTY/PuTTYgen workflow.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
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