Help Center

Everything you need to connect, run a shell, and move files with Veridion SSH Terminal on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Getting Started

1. Add a machine

Tap the + button on the hosts list and fill in the connection details:

• Name — a label for your own reference (e.g. "Home server").
• Host — the server's address: a hostname (server.example.com) or IP address (192.168.1.50).
• Port — the SSH port, usually 22.
• Username — your account on that server.
• Authentication — Password or SSH Key (see below).

2. Connect and trust the server

Tap a host to open its connect card and authenticate. The first time you reach a new server, the app shows a trust card with the server's SHA-256 host-key fingerprint. Confirm it matches your server, then tap Trust This Server. The key is pinned so future connections are verified automatically.

3. Use the terminal

Once connected, you get a full interactive shell. Type commands as you would in any terminal. On iPhone and iPad, an accessory key row gives you Tab, Esc, Ctrl, and arrow keys.

4. Transfer files (SFTP)

Tap Files in the session header to open the SFTP browser. Navigate folders, tap a file to download it to your device, or use the upload button to send a file into the current directory.

Authentication

Password

Enter your password on the connect card. Turn on Remember password to store it securely in the device Keychain. Saved credentials are sealed behind Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode and are unlocked only at connect time — never pre-filled on screen.

SSH key

Choose SSH Key as the authentication method, then import a private key from the Files app or paste it. OpenSSH-format Ed25519 and RSA keys are supported, including passphrase-protected keys. The app never displays your key text. If your key has a passphrase, enter it in the passphrase field. Turn on Remember key to store it in the Keychain behind the same biometric protection.

Host-Key Trust (TOFU)

The app uses trust-on-first-use verification, the same model as OpenSSH's known_hosts. On first contact it pins the server's public host key. On every reconnect it checks that the key still matches:

• Match — the connection proceeds silently.
• Changed key — the app refuses to connect and warns you, because a changed host key can indicate a man-in-the-middle. If the change is legitimate (you rebuilt the server), open About → Pinned Servers and tap Forget Pinned Key for that host, then reconnect and trust the new key.

You can review and remove any pinned server at any time from About → Pinned Servers.

File Transfers (SFTP)

The Files browser runs SFTP over the same connection. Transfers are chunked and resumable-safe: a download that fails or is cancelled removes the partial local file automatically. You can cancel any transfer mid-flight from the progress bar. File sizes and modified dates are shown for each item.

Customization & Productivity

• Appearance — choose the font, font size, and terminal colors under Settings.
• Command suggestions — as you type, the app can suggest matching commands; toggle this on or off in Settings.
• Command history — on iPad and iPhone, tap the history control to pick and re-run a previous command.
• Biometric app lock — optionally require Face ID / Touch ID to open the app.

Troubleshooting

"Connection refused" or the connection times out

• Confirm the host address and port are correct and that an SSH server is running on that port.
• If the server is on your local network, make sure your device is on the same network.
• Check any firewall on the server allows inbound connections on the SSH port.

Local Network permission (iPhone / iPad)

To reach servers on your Wi-Fi/LAN, iOS asks for Local Network permission the first time. If you declined it, enable it under Settings → Veridion SSH Terminal → Local Network. Without it, LAN connections fail with no prompt.

"Host key changed" warning

This is a safety refusal, not a bug — see Host-Key Trust. Only forget the pinned key if you know why the server's identity changed.

Saved password isn't used / Face ID prompt

Saved credentials are unlocked with Face ID / Touch ID at connect time by design. If biometrics are unavailable, the app falls back to your device passcode. Make sure Face ID is enabled for the app under iOS Settings.

Importing an SSH private key fails

Import the private key, not the .pub public key. Keys must be in OpenSSH format (begins with -----BEGIN OPENSSH PRIVATE KEY-----). If your key is in a different format, convert it with ssh-keygen -p -f yourkey on a computer first.

FAQ

Which devices are supported?

iPhone and iPad on iOS 17 or later, and Mac on macOS 15 or later. Your profiles are per-device.

Does the app collect any of my data?

No. Everything stays on your device and nothing is sent to Veridion. See the Privacy Policy.

Which key types are supported?

OpenSSH-format Ed25519 and RSA private keys, including passphrase-protected keys.

Is my password safe on the device?

Saved passwords and keys live in the system Keychain, protected by Face ID / Touch ID / passcode, and are never transmitted to us.

Does it support jump hosts / port forwarding?

The current release focuses on a direct interactive shell and SFTP transfers. Tell us what you need at the contact below — it helps us prioritize.

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