How to SSH Into an iPhone: Complete Tutorial

Download Article

Use SSH to transfer files between your iPhone and desktop

Author Info

Last Updated: March 28, 2023

Download Article

• Jailbreaking your iPhone
|
• Using Cyberduck
|
• Warnings

|Show more |Show less

Using the Secure Shell (SSH) network protocol, you can exchange data between your iPhone and computer on the same network, while also having the ability to make changes to the hard drive on your iPhone. To SSH into an iPhone, you must jailbreak your device, then download the Cyberduck application on your computer to establish a secure connection between your computer and iPhone.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Jailbreaking your iPhone

Download Article

1. 1
   Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable. iTunes will launch automatically upon recognizing your iPhone.
2. 2
   Click on your iPhone within the left sidebar of your iTunes session.
   Advertisement
3. 3
   Click on “Back Up Now” so iTunes can save a recent copy of all your data. Jailbreaking your iPhone will wipe all data from your device.
4. 4
   Download and install the correct jailbreaking software for the iOS version installed on your iPhone.
5. 5
   Launch the jailbreak software and follow the on-screen prompts to jailbreak your iPhone. The Cydia app will display in the Apps folder after your iPhone has been successfully jailbroken.
6. 6
   Click on “Restore” in iTunes after your iPhone has been jailbroken.
7. 7
   Follow the on-screen prompts in iTunes to finish restoring your personal data to your iPhone.
8. 8
   Disconnect your iPhone from your computer, and close iTunes.
Advertisement

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Using Cyberduck

Download Article

1. 1
   Download and install Cyberduck on your computer from the Mac App Store at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cyberduck/id409222199?mt=12.

   • If using a Windows-based PC, copy and paste the following link into a new browser tab to install a beta version of Cyberduck on your computer: update.cyberduck.ch/windows/Cyberduck-Installer-4.0.1.exe
2. 2
   Launch the Cyberduck application after installation is complete.
3. 3
   Click on “Open Connection” at the top left corner of Cyberduck. The “Server” window will display on-screen.
4. 4
   Launch the Cydia application on your iPhone. Cydia is located in the Apps folder on jailbroken iOS devices.
5. 5
   Search for and install the “OpenSSH” application available from Cydia.
6. 6
   Tap on the Home button, then tap on “Settings.”
7. 7
   Tap on “Wi-Fi,” then tap on the blue arrow displayed to the right of your wireless network.
8. 8
   Type the IP address displayed on your iPhone into the “Server” field in Cyberduck.
9. 9
   Select “SFTP” from the dropdown menu displayed above the Server field.
10. 10
    Type “22” into the Port field.
11. 11
    Type “root” into the username field, and “alpine” into the password field.
12. 12
    Click on “Connect.” The complete file system of your iPhone will display on-screen, and you can now make changes as desired to the hard drive of your iPhone.

    • Click on “Allow” to proceed if you receive an error that reads “Unknown Host” when attempting to establish a connection between your iPhone and computer.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

• Do not delete or modify information on your iPhone's hard drive using SSH unless you are completely familiar with how to customize and modify your phone's file system. Removing or modifying certain information could render your iPhone useless, or trigger one or more software problems.
  Thanks

  Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1

Advertisement