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Getting Started with Rosie SSH

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

Coming soon

Rosie SSH is not on the App Store yet and is not in public beta. This guide describes the intended first-run experience after release.

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, ECDSA P-256, or ECDSA P-384 keys.
  • Create hardware-backed Secure Enclave P-256 keys (requires a physical device).
  • Import supported OpenSSH private keys.
  • Use imported, generated, or Secure Enclave keys for authentication.

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 browsing, search, sort, hidden files, folder and file creation, upload, download, rename, delete, text preview and edit, share and export, and permissions where supported.

SFTP reuses the active terminal SSH connection when one exists. If no active terminal connection is available, SFTP opens a separate connection as a fallback.

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:

bash
tmux new -s work

If the app disconnects, reconnect and attach again:

bash
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, one-hop jump hosts, and local port forwarding. There is no subscription.

See Rosie SSH Pro and Purchases for restore steps, Family purchase details, jump hosts, and local port forwards.

App Lock

Open Settings and turn on App Lock if you want Face ID, Touch ID, or the device passcode before the app UI appears. App Lock is off by default.

You can also enable a privacy shield when the app is backgrounded, and optionally disconnect sessions when the device locks.

More help

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