iSH Shell icon

iSH Shell: Linux Terminal

by Theodore Dubois

iSH Shell brings the power of a Linux terminal to your iOS device. Edit files, move directories, and execute commands with ease. It's perfect for developers and system administrators who need a portable command-line environment for managing files and testing scripts.

About iSH Shell

iSH Shell provides a complete Linux-like environment directly on your iOS device. This powerful tool allows you to edit files using familiar commands like sed and cat, move files and directories, and perform a wide range of other command-line operations. Whether you're a developer needing to test scripts on the go or a system administrator requiring a portable **terminal**, iSH Shell offers unparalleled flexibility. Access a full **Linux terminal** without jailbreaking your device. The application provides a seamless experience, allowing you to manage files, run scripts, and even compile code directly from your iPhone or iPad. iSH Shell is a valuable asset for anyone who needs a command-line interface at their fingertips. It's lightweight, efficient, and easy to use, making it the perfect tool for both beginners and experienced **Linux** users. Explore the possibilities of a full **shell** environment on your iOS device and unlock a new level of productivity. With iSH Shell, you can take your development and system administration tasks with you wherever you go. It's a game-changer for mobile productivity, providing a robust and reliable command-line experience. The possibilities are endless with this powerful tool.

Key Features

  • Emulate a Linux-like environment on iOS devices
  • Edit files using sed and cat commands
  • Move files and directories with ease

Why Users Love It

Provides a portable Linux environment
Enables command-line file management
"Great app for running basic Linux commands on the go."

Perfect for: Perfect for developers and sysadmins needing a Linux terminal on their iPad or iPhone.

Screenshots

iSH Shell screenshot 1

📊Ranking History

Track iSH Shell's performance in Developer Tools over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#14

2 from last week

Best Rank

#9

🏆

All-time high

Average Rank

#13

📈

30-day average

User Reviews

D3Bug5
3/24/2025

Absolutely life-saving, mind-blowing piece of engineering. Best way bar none to have a Linux shell environment on the iPad. A must-have for any systems / software engineer who uses the iPad as a serious - or not-so-serious tool. The performance is very acceptable, and you get a full Linux environment, customizable to your heart’s content. Be it system or network utilities, compilers, man pages, editors, shell utilities: all is there and almost everything works. Truly astonishing and insanely useful. Brilliant Absolutely life-saving, mind-blowing piece of engineering. Best way bar none to have a Linux shell environment on the iPad. A must-have for any systems / software engineer who uses the iPad as a serious - or not-so-serious tool. The performance is very acceptable, and you get a full Linux environment, customizable to your heart’s content. Be it system or network utilities, compilers, man pages, editors, shell utilities: all is there and almost everything works. Truly astonishing and insanely useful.

Applestorereviewer559
7/29/2025

You do have to apk add ffmpeg, and openssh to access these features, but it can do them. It's an emulated alpine linux in your smartphone, google what alpine linux can do and how to add repos, all tutorials apply here since this is alpine linux. This app will not handhold you and the dev has abandoned it (made opensource so anyone can pick it up but he doesnt reccomend it due to his own bad coding practices) SSH, FFMPEG, etc. Alpine on Iphone You do have to apk add ffmpeg, and openssh to access these features, but it can do them. It's an emulated alpine linux in your smartphone, google what alpine linux can do and how to add repos, all tutorials apply here since this is alpine linux. This app will not handhold you and the dev has abandoned it (made opensource so anyone can pick it up but he doesnt reccomend it due to his own bad coding practices)

gfl333012121
4/19/2025

This is a great alpine based shell for iOS. You can mount your iOS drive in the shell with ‘mnt -t ios . ’. Of course, vi is included…gotta use vi because it’s always in the disto…take that you emacs fans! Jk Great shell for iOS This is a great alpine based shell for iOS. You can mount your iOS drive in the shell with ‘mnt -t ios . ’. Of course, vi is included…gotta use vi because it’s always in the disto…take that you emacs fans! Jk

Mikeosude
6/1/2024

This is an amazing app, please can you guys keep updating it? it should take more resources and i dont mind paying for it. Possibly make an ubuntu version. Please i love this app and i have been using it to do so much even installed pip, python3 and more on it and it has been amazing. I cannot over emphasize how useful this tool has been and i dont want it to die. Best devops, sys admin, programming and learning tool i have seen for the ipad. Please update and release newer versions and more distros. this is even better than using emulators. Amazing App This is an amazing app, please can you guys keep updating it? it should take more resources and i dont mind paying for it. Possibly make an ubuntu version. Please i love this app and i have been using it to do so much even installed pip, python3 and more on it and it has been amazing. I cannot over emphasize how useful this tool has been and i dont want it to die. Best devops, sys admin, programming and learning tool i have seen for the ipad. Please update and release newer versions and more distros. this is even better than using emulators.

OSRSNuub
5/23/2024

Absolutely love this app. Been using it for a while now and it has served me greatly for a multitude of things. Convenience 100 Absolutely love this app. Been using it for a while now and it has served me greatly for a multitude of things.

App Details

Developer

Theodore Dubois

Platform

ios

Rating

4.7

Last Updated

8/7/2025