iSH
A Linux shell for iPhone and iPad that runs Alpine Linux in a usermode x86 emulator.
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About iSH
iSH gives an iPhone or iPad a local Linux shell environment. It runs x86 Linux programs through a usermode emulator, so the familiar command-line tools work on the device itself without connecting to a remote server.
You can edit files with tools such as sed and cat and move files around. An extra keyboard row adds keys like Ctrl for easier navigation. iSH is on the App Store and AltStore, with TestFlight betas for newer builds, and the developers say the app will always be free.
Strengths
- Runs a Linux shell locally on iPhone and iPad
- Extra keyboard row with Ctrl and navigation keys
- Available on the App Store, AltStore and TestFlight
- Source code published on GitHub
Limitations
- x86 emulation is slower than native code
- Stable App Store release lags behind the pre-release builds
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree, with optional donations through Patreon.
- License
- Open source, license not stated
- Developer
- The iSH contributors
- Platforms
- iOS
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Running Linux command-line tools on an iPhone or iPad
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to iSH
Compare allSoftware that can replace iSH for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
a-Shell
A local Unix-style terminal for iPhone and iPad with multiple windows and common command-line tools.
a-Shell runs Unix tools and Python natively on iPhone and iPad with Shortcuts integration, avoiding x86 emulation but without an Alpine Linux package system.
Blink Shell
An SSH and Mosh terminal for iPhone and iPad with local Unix tools and SFTP support.
Blink Shell centres on SSH and Mosh to remote servers with local Unix tools and SFTP, and requires an annual subscription after the trial.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
Termux
An Android terminal emulator and Linux environment that installs packages with APT, without root.
Prompt
Panic's native terminal and SSH client for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro, with Mosh support.
Secure ShellFish
An SSH terminal and SFTP file access app for iPhone, iPad and Mac.
OpenSSH
The standard SSH client and server suite for encrypted remote login, file copying and tunnelling.
Mosh
A remote shell that replaces interactive SSH and survives roaming, sleep and dropped connections.
