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When a server needs attention at 2am and you're not near a laptop, ShellPilot is what you reach for. It's a full-featured SSH client for Android that gives you a real terminal session with your remote servers — not a limited web UI or a toy app, but a genuine SSH connection with PTY support.
The terminal emulator handles the things that matter: ANSI color codes, so tools like htop, vim, and ncdu display correctly; proper key sequences so you can use Ctrl+C, Ctrl+Z, and arrow keys; and a scrollback buffer so you don't lose output that scrolls past the screen.
Managing multiple servers is straightforward. Add each host once with its IP, port, username, and authentication method (password or private key), and it's available in one tap. You can keep connections to staging, production, and personal servers organized and switch between them quickly.
Beyond basic SSH, ShellPilot understands developer workflows. Connect to a server, run docker ps, tail your application logs, check nginx status, run a database query — the app gets out of your way and lets you work. The keyboard includes keys developers actually use: Tab, Escape, pipe, slash, and function keys.
What you get
How to connect to a server over SSH on Android
- 1
Install ShellPilot
Download ShellPilot free from Google Play — a full SSH client for Android.
- 2
Add a connection
Tap New Connection and enter the server address, port (usually 22), and username.
- 3
Authenticate
Choose a password or import an SSH private key for key-based login.
- 4
Open a terminal
Tap the saved host to start a terminal session and run commands on your server.
Who uses ShellPilot
Restart a service away from your desk
Open the saved host, run systemctl restart, and confirm recovery — no laptop needed.
Tail logs after a deploy
Connect, tail the application log, and verify the release looks clean from your phone.
Quick edits in vim
Open a config in vim over SSH, make the fix, save, and reload the service.
Frequently asked questions
Is ShellPilot a real SSH client?
Yes. It uses the SSH2 protocol with a PTY-backed terminal, so you get a genuine remote shell — not a limited web UI or local sandbox.
Does it support SSH key authentication?
Yes. You can authenticate with a password or import an SSH private key for key-based login.
Can I manage several servers?
Yes. Save a profile per server with its own host, port, and credentials, and connect to any of them in one tap.
Is it free?
ShellPilot is free to download and use, with ads and an optional one-time Pro upgrade.
Related tools
Ready to try ShellPilot?
Free to download. No subscription required to get started.
Download Free on Google Play