How to SSH into servers from an iPad or Chromebook

If you are using a MacBook or a Windows machine, SSH access to a remote server is trivial. You open a terminal, type ssh user@ip, and you are in. The tools are already there.

But if you are traveling with just an iPad, working on a corporate Chromebook where you cannot install software, or borrowing someone else's computer, you hit a wall almost immediately.

iOS does not have a native SSH terminal. Chromebooks lock down software installation by default. And public computers are not an environment where you want to install anything at all.

Here is a breakdown of your options, what each one actually gets right, and where each falls short.

The security problem nobody talks about

Before getting into specific apps, there is a bigger issue worth understanding: your SSH private keys.

A private key is the digital credential that authenticates you to your servers. It lives on your main machine in ~/.ssh/. Moving your workflow to a new device means moving that key.

With native SSH apps, you typically transfer the private key to the new device and either store it in the app's local storage or sync it through the app developer's cloud service. That introduces two real risks:

1. Your key lives on a device you may lose. An iPad gets stolen. A loaner laptop gets wiped. Your private key goes with it.
2. You are trusting a third-party cloud service with the keys to your infrastructure. Termius, for example, syncs your keys and hosts across devices through their own servers. For a personal blog server, that may be an acceptable trade-off. For production infrastructure, it may not be.

Understanding this helps you make a more informed choice between the options below.

Option 1: Native apps on iPad (iOS)

The App Store has a handful of SSH clients that work genuinely well.

Termius

Termius is probably the most polished SSH client on iOS. It supports SSH key authentication, jump host (bastion) support, a customizable on-screen keyboard with Ctrl/Esc/Tab keys, and cross-device sync via their cloud service.

The free tier is limited. You get basic SSH access but not SFTP, not key syncing across devices, and not port forwarding. The paid subscription (around $10/month or $50/year) unlocks the full feature set.

The trade-off: Key syncing is convenient, but it means your private keys live on Termius's servers.

Prompt 3 (by Panic)

Prompt 3 is a one-time purchase, which makes it appealing compared to subscription-based alternatives. It supports SSH key authentication, has a great on-screen keyboard layout designed specifically for server management, and syncs connections through iCloud (not a third-party server).

The trade-off: iCloud sync is more private than Termius's cloud, but your keys still sync off-device. Also, it is macOS/iOS only.

Blink Shell

Blink Shell is built by developers for developers. It runs a true mosh + SSH environment, supports key agent forwarding, and is genuinely more capable than most iOS SSH apps. The keyboard control is exceptional.

It is the most expensive option (one-time purchase, around $20), but if you do serious remote work from an iPad, it is worth it.

The trade-off: Still requires installing and managing keys in an app.

Option 2: Chromebook SSH access

Chromebooks present a different set of options.

Secure Shell Extension (by Google)

Google publishes an official SSH extension for Chrome called "Secure Shell." It runs in the browser and provides a terminal with SSH key support. No Linux subsystem needed.

To install it, you search for "Secure Shell" in the Chrome Web Store and add it to your browser. It opens as a Chrome App or in a tab, depending on the version.

The downside is that key management is clunky. You have to import your private key file through a non-obvious workflow, and the UI is clearly not designed for frequent use.

Enabling Linux on Chromebook

Chromebooks running Chrome OS 69 and above support a Linux development environment called "Crostini." Once enabled, you get a real Debian terminal with access to apt, and you can install OpenSSH directly:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install openssh-client
ssh user@your-server

This gives you a full Linux SSH experience. The downside is setup time, a Linux container running in the background consuming memory, and the fact that it may not be available on managed corporate Chromebooks where the IT policy disables it.

To enable Linux on Chromebook:

1. Open Settings and search for "Linux."
2. Click Turn on next to "Linux development environment."
3. Follow the setup wizard (takes 3-5 minutes).
4. Once enabled, open the Terminal app.

Option 3: Browser-based SSH (works everywhere)

A web-based SSH client is the only option that genuinely works on any device without installing anything. The terminal runs inside a browser tab. You navigate to a URL, fill in your connection details, paste your private key, and connect.

This approach solves the security problem described above. Your private key gets pasted directly into the connection form and is stored in the browser's localStorage. It never travels to a third-party cloud service. When you close the browser tab, the key is gone from that device.

The architecture works because the browser cannot open raw TCP connections to port 22 on its own. A backend WebSocket proxy translates between browser traffic and the SSH protocol. The encryption happens on your device; your actual commands never pass through the proxy in plaintext.

Using SSHDock on iPad or Chromebook

SSHDock works in Chrome, Safari, and Firefox without any installation. Open the app, enter your server's IP address or hostname, username, port, and your private SSH key. SSHDock supports RSA keys, Ed25519 keys, and key-based authentication for jump hosts and bastion servers.

On iPad, you can add SSHDock to your home screen by tapping the Share button in Safari and choosing "Add to Home Screen." It installs as a Progressive Web App and opens in a full-screen mode that looks and feels like a native app, without going through the App Store.

On a Chromebook, it runs directly in the Chrome tab with no extension required.

What it does not do: SSHDock is a terminal client, not a full file manager. If you need to browse and transfer large amounts of files, a dedicated SFTP client will be more comfortable. But for running commands, checking logs, restarting services, and managing your server day-to-day, the terminal is all you need.

Quick comparison

| | Termius | Prompt 3 | Linux on Chromebook | SSHDock (Browser) | |---|---|---|---|---| | Works on iPad | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | | Works on Chromebook | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | | Installation required | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | | Key synced to third-party | Yes | iCloud | No | No | | Cost | Subscription | One-time | Free | Free | | SFTP support | Paid tier | Paid tier | Yes (CLI) | No |

The bottom line

If you use an iPad regularly and need a proper SSH experience with SFTP and saved connections, Termius or Prompt 3 are worth paying for. If you are on a Chromebook and have admin access, enabling the Linux environment is the most capable option.

If you are on a locked-down device, borrowing someone's machine, or you just want to check on a server quickly without installing anything, a browser-based terminal handles it without any setup or key management headaches.