Support & Documentation

Get help with Bracket SSH Terminal

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Need more help?

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Getting Started

1. Create Your First Connection

  1. Tap the + button in the Connections tab
  2. Enter a name for your server (e.g., "Production Server")
  3. Enter the hostname or IP address
  4. Enter your username
  5. Choose your authentication method:
    • Password: Enter your SSH password
    • Private Key: Import or generate an SSH key
    • Certificate: Use CA-signed certificate
  6. Tap "Save" and then connect

2. Import an SSH Key

  1. Go to More → SSH Keys
  2. Tap the + button
  3. Choose to paste from clipboard or import from file
  4. Paste your private key (PEM format)
  5. Optionally add a passphrase if the key is encrypted
  6. Tap "Import"

3. Use the Custom Keyboard

When in a terminal session, the custom keyboard provides quick access to:

  • ESC - Essential for Vim and other terminal apps
  • CTRL - Control key combinations (Ctrl+C, etc.)
  • Arrow Keys - Navigation
  • TAB - Command completion
  • Extended Keys - F1-F12, Home, End, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Your SSH keys and passwords are stored in the iOS Keychain, which is encrypted and protected by your device's security. We also support Face ID/Touch ID for app lock. Your connection data never leaves your device unless you explicitly enable iCloud sync.

Yes and no. You can browse saved connections, view SSH keys, and prepare configurations offline. However, to actually connect to servers, you need an internet connection (WiFi or cellular).

Bracket supports the following key types:

  • RSA (2048, 3072, 4096 bit)
  • Ed25519 (recommended)
  • ECDSA (P-256, P-384, P-521)

Keys must be in OpenSSH PEM format. PuTTY (.ppk) keys need to be converted first.

Absolutely! Bracket is fully optimized for iPad with:

  • Multiple windows with Stage Manager
  • Split View support
  • Slide Over for quick access
  • Split terminal view (side-by-side sessions)
  • Full external keyboard support

Password authentication uses your SSH password. It's simpler but less secure and can be vulnerable to brute-force attacks.

Key authentication uses cryptographic keys. It's much more secure and recommended for production servers. You can also protect keys with a passphrase for extra security.

Yes! Bracket supports all three types of SSH port forwarding:

  • Local: Access remote services as if they were local
  • Remote: Allow remote access to your local services
  • Dynamic (SOCKS): Use your SSH server as a proxy

Configure port forwarding in the connection settings.

This is a security feature protecting you from man-in-the-middle attacks. It means the server's host key has changed since your last connection.

Accept the change only if:

  • The server was legitimately reinstalled
  • The SSH keys were rotated by your administrator
  • You've verified the new fingerprint with your hosting provider

If you're unsure, contact your server administrator before proceeding.

Working with SSH Keys

Generating a New Key

  1. Go to More → SSH Keys
  2. Tap + then Generate Key
  3. Choose key type (Ed25519 recommended)
  4. Optional: Add a passphrase for extra security
  5. Tap Generate
  6. Copy the public key to your server's ~/.ssh/authorized_keys

Converting PuTTY Keys (.ppk)

If you have a PuTTY private key (.ppk), convert it to OpenSSH format:

# On your computer with PuTTY installed:
puttygen private.ppk -O private-openssh -o private_key

# Then import private_key into Bracket

Adding Key to Server

To use key authentication, add your public key to the server:

# Copy public key to clipboard in Bracket
# Then on your server:
echo "PASTE_PUBLIC_KEY_HERE" >> ~/.ssh/authorized_keys

Troubleshooting

Connection Refused

  • Check that the hostname/IP address is correct
  • Verify the port number (default is 22)
  • Ensure the SSH service is running on the server
  • Check firewall settings on the server

Authentication Failed

  • Double-check your username
  • Verify your password is correct
  • For key auth: ensure the public key is in ~/.ssh/authorized_keys
  • For key auth: check that key permissions are correct (600 for private key)

Host Key Verification Failed

  • This is normal for first connections - tap "Accept"
  • If the key changed unexpectedly, verify with your administrator
  • You can view/manage known hosts in More → Known Hosts

Keyboard Not Showing Special Keys

  • Ensure "Custom Keyboard" is enabled in Terminal Settings
  • Tap the keyboard icon in the terminal toolbar to toggle
  • Check that the terminal input field is focused

App Crashes or Freezes

  • Force close and reopen the app
  • Restart your iOS device
  • Ensure you're running the latest version from App Store
  • If issues persist, contact support with details

Contact Support

Can't find what you're looking for? We're here to help.

Email Support

For technical issues, feature requests, or general questions:

[email protected]

Twitter

For quick questions and updates:

@BracketSSH

When Contacting Support, Please Include:

  • iOS/iPadOS version
  • Bracket app version
  • Device model
  • Description of the issue
  • Steps to reproduce
  • Screenshots (if applicable)