The Object Storage Service (OSS) console is a simple, web-based management tool provided by Alibaba Cloud. This tutorial shows you how to perform basic operations, such as creating a bucket, uploading a file, and sharing a file, in approximately 10 minutes.
Prerequisites
- Note
Purchasing an OSS resource plan does not automatically activate OSS. You must still activate the service manually. Activating OSS is free.
Step 1: Create a bucket
A bucket is a container for storing files in OSS. Before you use OSS, you must create a bucket.
In the navigation pane on the left, go to the Bucket List page and click Create Bucket.
Configure the following key parameters and leave the other parameters at their default settings:
Bucket Name: Enter a globally unique name. To ensure uniqueness, we recommend using a combination of a project name, region, and a random string. For example,
my-project-hangzhou-a1b2c3d4.Region: Select a nearby region, such as
China (Hangzhou), to reduce access latency.
Click Create.
Step 2: Upload a file
After you create a bucket, you can upload various types of files (objects) to it, such as images, videos, and documents.
The console supports uploading files up to 5 GB. For larger files, we recommend that you use the ossutil command line interface.
In accordance with a policy change to improve the compliance and security of the OSS service, users who activate the OSS service on or after March 20, 2025, cannot call data operation APIs (such as uploading or downloading files) for buckets in the Chinese mainland regions using the default public domain name. You must access the OSS service using a custom domain name (CNAME).
If you do not have a suitable test file, download the sample file exampleobject.jpg to your computer.
On the Bucket List page, click the name of the bucket that you created.
In the navigation pane on the left, choose File Management > File List, and then click Upload File.
In the Upload panel, drag the exampleobject.jpg file from your computer to the upload area, or click Scan Files to select the file.
Leave the other parameters at their default values and click Upload File.
You can view the upload progress of each file on the Upload Tasks tab. After the upload is complete, you can view the file name, file size, and storage class in the destination path.
Step 3: Download a file
You can download files from a bucket to your computer.
On the File List page, find the exampleobject.jpg file that you uploaded.
Select the checkbox next to the file, and then click the Download button below the list.
Step 4: Share a file
For files in a private bucket, you can generate a secure, temporary URL to share them.
On the File List page, click the name of the exampleobject.jpg file.
In the View Details panel that appears on the right, set the Expiration Time (Seconds) as needed (the default is 600 seconds), and then click Copy File URL.
ImportantBilling: This URL uses a public Endpoint. Downloads that use this URL incur outbound traffic fees over the internet.
Security: Before you share the file, make sure it does not contain any sensitive data.
Validity: The URL automatically expires after the specified period. To access the file again, you must generate a new URL.
Paste the copied URL into the address bar of your browser and press Enter to view the image.
Step 5: Clean up
To prevent ongoing charges, delete all files in the bucket, and then delete the bucket. This operation is irreversible.
Delete files
In the navigation pane on the left, choose Object Management > Objects.
Select the checkbox next to the uploaded sample file exampleobject.jpg.
Below the list, click Permanently Delete, and then click OK in the pop-up window.
Delete a bucket
After you delete a bucket, you must wait several hours (usually 4 to 8 hours) before you can create another bucket with the same name.
On the Bucket List page, click the name of the bucket that you want to delete.
In the navigation pane on the left, click Delete Bucket.
Click Delete Now and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the operation.
Billing
This tutorial involves the following billable items:
Storage fees: Standard storage fees are charged for the duration that the file is stored.
Outbound traffic fees over the internet: You are charged for outbound traffic over the internet when the file is downloaded using the shared URL.
Request fees: Upload and download operations incur API request fees.
For more information about pricing, see OSS Pricing.
What to do next
Manage costs: Learn about billing details in the Billing overview and save costs with resource plans.
Automate operations: Learn how to manage OSS with code in your application by referring to the SDK Quick Start.
Perform more file operations: See the Feature guide to learn about more methods for managing files.
Strengthen data security: Configure fine-grained data access permissions. For more information, see Overview of permission and access control.
NoteBlock Public Access is enabled by default when you create buckets by using the OSS console. Once Block Public Access is enabled, you cannot configure public access permissions, including public ACLs (public read and public read/write) and bucket policies that allows public access. You can disable this feature after the bucket is created if your business requires public access.