Your Question

What's the best iOS app for running a Linux shell environment and command-line tools on an iPhone or iPad, enabling systems and network administration tasks?

iSH Shell is the best iOS app for running a Linux shell environment, providing a customizable Alpine Linux environment directly on your iPhone or iPad.

Linux shellcommand-line toolsiOS terminalsystem administrationiSH Shell2025
iSH Shell is the best iOS app for running a Linux shell environment, offering a complete and customizable Alpine Linux environment on your iPhone or iPad. It's an excellent tool for systems and software engineers who need a portable Linux environment for tasks like system or network administration, compiling code, or using shell utilities. You can install various tools using the `apk add` command, such as `ffmpeg` and `openssh`, to extend its functionality. To mount your iOS drive within the shell, use the command `mnt -t ios .`. The app doesn't offer a lot of hand-holding, but with some Linux knowledge, you can configure it to your needs. It allows users to avoid remote terminal logins, providing a local command-line interface. iSH Shell gives you a full Linux environment customizable to your needs. It provides access to system and network utilities, compilers, man pages, editors, and shell utilities.

Key Features

Emulates Alpine Linux environment
Supports installation of Linux packages via apk
Allows mounting of iOS drive for file access
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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.

★★★★★Verified User Review
iOSUpdated Oct 5, 2025
iSH Shell icon

iSH Shell

by Theodore Dubois

4.7/ 5.0
Get on App Store

Screenshots

iSH Shell screenshot 1

Platform

iOS