Add a profile
Open SSHELL and tap the add button to create a new connection.
Support
Support for SSHELL on iPhone and iPad.
Connect to a host, check network and authentication failures, and email support without sharing secrets.
First connection
How to connect to a host.
You need a host name or IP address that your iPhone or iPad can reach, a username, a port, and either a password or SSH key.
Choose a protocol
Pick SSH for most servers, Mosh for roaming networks, or Telnet for legacy devices.
Enter host details
Add the host name or IP address, port and username.
Choose authentication
Use a password or select a saved SSH key from the key library.
Review trust
Check any host-key prompt before accepting a new server identity.
Save and connect
Save the profile, then open the terminal from your hosts list.
Guides
Checks for setup failures.
SSH key rejected
Confirm the matching public key is in ~/.ssh/authorized_keys, the username is correct, and the server accepts the key type.
Password login fails
Check the username, port, VPN and server login policy. Some servers disable password authentication.
Host key warning
Do not accept a changed key until you know the server was rebuilt, rotated or reached through a new endpoint.
Mosh connection fails
Mosh needs UDP reachability. Check firewalls, NAT, roaming network rules and server-side Mosh installation.
Remote files unavailable
Use SSH or Mosh profiles and confirm the account can access the target folder on the server.
iCloud sync missing data
Enable iCloud on each device and check that SSHELL sync is enabled in the app settings.
Advanced setup
Useful checks for developer workflows.
Review these settings when you want repeatable sessions, safer clipboard handling, key-based login or more reliable roaming connections.
Key formats and conversions
SSHELL supports OpenSSH, PEM, DER and PuTTY PPK private keys for Ed25519, ECDSA and RSA. If a server rejects a key, confirm the server accepts that algorithm and that the matching public key is installed for the right account.
tmux and startup automation
Per-profile startup settings can switch directory, run a login script and auto-attach to a named tmux session when tmux is installed on the host.
Agent forwarding
Enable agent forwarding only for hosts you trust. While the session is open, that host can ask your selected saved key to sign onward authentication requests, but the private key is not copied to the server.
Remote clipboard access
Remote OSC 52 clipboard reads and writes are controlled by global and per-host settings. Keep them restricted unless you trust the host and understand what it may read from or place on your iPhone or iPad clipboard.
Mosh on mobile networks
Mosh handles Wi-Fi and cellular changes, but it still needs server-side Mosh support and UDP reachability through firewalls, NAT and VPN paths.
iCloud sync caveats
Optional iCloud sync depends on iCloud being enabled for the same account on each device. If data appears stale, check app sync settings and iCloud availability before recreating profiles.
Send with a support request
- Device model, iOS or iPadOS version, and SSHELL version.
- Protocol: SSH, Mosh or Telnet.
- Authentication mode: password or saved key.
- Network: Wi-Fi, cellular, VPN or all networks.
- Exact error text, with private details redacted.
Do not send
- Passwords, private keys, passphrases or recovery keys.
- Production tokens, API keys or customer data.
- Screenshots that reveal credentials or shell history.
- Full logs unless secrets have been removed.
Contact
Email support with enough context to reproduce the issue.
Use support@staces.co.uk for SSHELL support. Include redacted setup details and the exact error text; do not include credentials, private keys or production secrets.
Download and pricing
Download free, use the 7-day trial, then unlock lifetime access for one £2.99 purchase. No subscription.
Changelog
Read the latest SSHELL release notes before updating or recommending the app.
FAQ
Short answers for protocols, credentials, remote files, iCloud sync and Telnet safety.
Support guide
Connection setup, troubleshooting checks and the details to include in a support request.
Privacy
How SSHELL describes accounts, credentials, sync and direct server connections.
Support FAQ
Answers for connection failures.
Which protocol should I choose?
Choose SSH for standard server access, Mosh for mobile or unstable networks, and Telnet for trusted legacy systems.
Why does SSH work elsewhere but not in SSHELL?
Compare the host, port, username, key and VPN state with the working client. A small username or port difference is often enough to fail login.
Why is my key asking for a passphrase?
The private key is encrypted. Enter the passphrase for that key, not your server account password.
Why did the server identity change?
The host may have been rebuilt, rotated, load balanced or intercepted by a different endpoint. Verify before accepting the new key.
Can support recover my password or private key?
No. Keep credentials under your control and never email them to support.
Is there support for desktop or Android?
SSHELL Terminal is for iPhone and iPad.