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Getting Started with Rosie SSH

Set up Rosie SSH on iPhone or iPad: hosts, keys, terminal sessions, SFTP, and Pro.

Requirements

  • iPhone or iPad running iOS/iPadOS 26.0 or newer.
  • An SSH server you own or administer.
  • A username and either a password or SSH private key accepted by that server.

Add a saved host

  1. Open Hosts.
  2. Tap Add Host.
  3. Enter the hostname or IP address, port, username, and authentication method.
  4. Save the host.
  5. Tap Connect to start a terminal session.

The first time you connect, Rosie SSH asks you to verify the server’s host key fingerprint. Compare it with a trusted source when possible, then trust it only if it matches what you expect. See Host Key Verification in Rosie SSH.

Use Quick Connect

Quick Connect is for temporary sessions. It lets you connect without saving the host permanently. Passwords entered for Quick Connect are only used for that session.

Manage SSH keys

Open Keys to generate or import keys.

Rosie SSH stores private key bytes in the iOS Keychain. Public keys can be exported and copied to your server’s authorized_keys file.

Supported key workflow for the initial release:

  • Generate Ed25519 keys.
  • Import supported OpenSSH private keys.
  • Use imported or generated Ed25519 keys for authentication.

Secure Enclave key generation is present, but Secure Enclave SSH authentication is not available yet.

See SSH Keys in Rosie SSH for key generation, import, export, and authorized_keys setup.

Browse files with SFTP

From a connected host, open Files to browse files over SFTP. Rosie SSH supports listing folders, previewing text files, uploading, creating folders, renaming, and deleting.

SFTP uses a separate SSH connection from the terminal, so you may see authentication or host key prompts for the file browser even when a terminal is already open.

See SFTP File Browser in Rosie SSH for file operations and common SFTP errors.

Use long-running sessions

iOS may suspend network connections after Rosie SSH is backgrounded. For long commands, start a remote session manager first:

tmux new -s work

If the app disconnects, reconnect and attach again:

tmux attach -t work

mosh can also help with mobile networks if your server supports it.

See Session Persistence in Rosie SSH for more detail.

Upgrade to Pro

Open Settings and choose Upgrade to Rosie SSH Pro.

The free tier allows 1 saved host and 1 saved SSH key. Pro removes those limits and unlocks custom themes. There is no subscription.

See Rosie SSH Pro and Purchases for restore steps and Family purchase details.

More help

See the Rosie SSH FAQ, Troubleshooting, or contact support.

Settings

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