# Blink Shell 14: Legacy — Get Blink Shell & Code free

> Legacy terminal emulator for iOS with fast rendering and Mosh support. (iPhone/iPad app by Carlos Cabanero SL.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blink-shell-14-legacy/id1156707581 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Carlos Cabanero SL](https://appshunter.io/developer/1156707511)
- Category: Developer Tools, Utilities
- Price: $139.99
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 305 App Store ratings · 50 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 55 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2016-09-27
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blink-shell-14-legacy/id1156707581/reviews.md

## What is Blink Shell 14?

This is the Legacy version of Blink Shell. Download the new free version Blink Shell instead from https://itunes.apple.com/app/id1594898306. 

Current users are grandfathered to keep receiving updates and new features. We are keeping this version alive to ensure a smooth transition.

Thanks for understanding.

—

We had no choice. We had to build Blink or we were going to jump out the window in frustration over the tools we were using. We started by analyzing what the must-haves were and we ended up grounding Blink on these four concepts:

• Fast rendering: dmesg in your Unix server should be instantaneous. We can't wait even a second to render. We didn't need to reinvent the wheel to make this happen. We simply used Chromium's HTerm to ensure that rendering is perfect and fast, even with those special, tricky encodings.
• Always on: Mosh transcends SSH's variability. Mosh overcomes the unstable and intermittent connectivity that we all associate with mobile connections. You can check your Safari without fear of having to restart the SSH connection. You can flawlessly jump from home, to the train, and then the office thanks to Mosh. Blink is rock-solid connected all the way. Mosh is readily available and can be easily installed on your server. Go to https://mosh.mit.edu.
• Best Keyboard Support: Blink embraces Bluetooth-coupled keyboards with gusto. Some like Caps as Esc on Vim, others Caps as Ctrl on Emacs. Blink champions them all. During your always-on sessions, you're in your zone.
• Custom Fonts and Themes: We know how important it is to have your terminal, your way. That's why we include a selection of fonts and themes, including Powerline variants. And if that isn't enough, you can create and add your own.

But, Blink is much more. Please read on.

• You should command your terminal, not navigate it. Blink will jump you right into a friendly shell and it'll be clear to you how to roll.
• The interface is straightforward. We dumped all menus and went full screen for your terminal. Use swipe to move between your open connections, slide down to close them, and even pinch to zoom!
• Configure your Blink connections by adding your own Hosts and PKI keys. Synchronise with iCloud. Everything will look familiar and you get to work, fast!
- We've incorporated SplitView and multiple windows, for those necessary Google searches and chats with coworkers.

Blink is open source software. Participate in our community, and don’t forget to leave us your feedback and your feature(s) requests. Enjoy!

http://blink.sh
http://twitter.com/blinkshell
http://GitHub.com/blinksh

## Key features

- Fast rendering with Chromium's HTerm
- Always-on connections with Mosh
- Extensive Bluetooth keyboard support
- Customizable fonts and themes
- Full-screen, gesture-based interface
- SplitView and multiple window support

## What do users think of Blink Shell 14?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Persistent SSH sessions
- 👍 Excellent Mosh support
- 💡 Innovative keyboard features
- ✨ Great UI and customization
- ✅ No subscription model
- 🌟 Responsive developer support
- 💯 Works well with hardware keyboards
- 💻 Turns iPad into dev machine
- ⚡ Fast and responsive
- 🎨 Multiple color themes
- 🛠️ Useful built-in utilities
- 🔄 Seamless session restoration

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes/instability
- 🐛 Inconsistent scrolling behavior
- 🐛 File transfer issues (SCP/SFTP)
- 🐛 Some key mapping issues
- 🐛 UI glitches in split screen
- 🐛 Alt key workaround needed
- 🐛 Missing local tools (e.g., vim)
- 🐛 Documentation is lacking

**Commonly reported bugs**

- M1 Mac app crashes on right-click
- Up arrow removes spaces in commands
- Alt key requires mapping to escape
- File transfer (SCP/SFTP) not working
- App crashes when right-clicking on M1 Mac
- Scrolling behavior changes frequently
- Slash key requires three keystrokes on internal keyboard
- Socket error with non-standard ports (resolved with specific usage)
- Accidentally opening second tab, unable to type
- Current version drops and hangs Mosh connections
- SCP does not ask for key passphrase
- ssh-keygen -p crashes the app
- SSH key files not in standard .ssh directory
- SFTP is a copy of broken SCP
- Paste sometimes works and sometimes doesn't
- SSH for hosts with keys via config not working
- Split screen mode causes issues with tmux sessions

**Most requested features**

- Sync light/dark themes with iOS
- Add iperf3 to built-in utilities
- Rectangular text selection
- More intuitive alt key mapping
- Fix M1 Mac right-click crash
- Add more local tools (e.g., vim)
- Improve slash key accessibility on internal keyboard
- Fix file transfer issues
- Improve scrolling behavior for Mosh
- Add port forwarding support
- Add agent forwarding support

## Recent user reviews (10 of 50)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blink-shell-14-legacy/id1156707581/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Impressive and Fully Featured

*2022-01-19, version 14.0.3*

Im been in IT for 35 years and used all sorts off SSH clients. Many clients, you can get for free but in today’s world, IT staff require cross-platform usability and the ability to sync settings among all devices. Mosh is also great. Theres one SSH client thats able to do all this but its subscription is thru the roof. Blink is getting close to achieving this, syncing across iPhone, iPad, and M1 Macs. Thats all that i actually require. The only issue i have is with the M1 (Apple Silicon) Mac, if you right click on the app, it crashes it, every single time. I know it wasnt originally built for that device, so its still a five star app. But it’s on my wishlist of future updates and would complete all my SSH requirements.

### 5/5 — Finally!

*2021-11-19, version 14.0.3*

I’ve been looking for an App purely for remote development over ssh.  This requires good support with Magic Keyboard.  After trying almost all of them, this one is IT! For whatever reason all the other Apps were missing 1 of these most basic features:
* Copy & Paste ( without screen jumps and touching )
* Key repeat when pressed 
Thanks team. I’ll be on the beach!

### 4/5 — Opinionated in ways that appeal to me; smidge unstable

*2021-11-01, version 14.0.2*

I prefer Blink(.)app over its current competitors. My biggest complaint is that segfaults and outright app crashes occur too frequently. If the selling point is persistent remote logins, then the client app must be rock solid and this one isn't. More stability and I doubt I'd shop for other clients; as it stands now it remains my go to, but my feelers are up for a replacement.

### 4/5 — A bug I’ve noticed

*2021-10-02, version 13.5.14*

Using the up arrow for history removes the spaces in the command. 

Also I know the workaround for the alt key but it would be nice to have something more intuitive than mapping it to escape.   

Otherwise a very valuable app that works well.

### 5/5 — Great SSH Client

*2021-09-28, version 13.5.14*

Works wonderfully. I used to use iSH, but it was lacking satisfactory cursor support (copying text was a huge pain)—this is not an issue with Blink, the level of polish overall is great. I will say I wish there were more local tools available (vim is a big one that’s missing), but no doubt it’s a lovely terminal emulator.

### 5/5 — Straight to the point SSH/Mosh

*2021-08-14, version 13.5.12*

I was hesitant to buy this app, then I found out that it was open source. I went to the GitHub repo, building instructions were very clear and straightforward and it took less than 10 minutes to build and install on my iPad Pro. After using the app for two weeks, I could help but buy it from the App Store, the app is really amazing.

I like how it just starts with the shell and only uses the UI for configuration, any CLI user will appreciate this. Airplay support is very good. Mosh support is very well done. Built in UNIX utilities are great

Adding the following features would be great:
- Light/dark themes that sync with iOS
- iperf3 added to the built in UNIX utilities
- Rectangular text select fo easier selection when tmux panes are used.

### 5/5 — Great

*2021-06-15, version 13.5.12*

For the most part, this app is exactly what a terminal app should be. I was hesitant to drop the cash on something I couldn’t try, but I’m glad I did.
Much more responsive than that other SSH app, and more ability to change the appearance to make using a terminal on a pad more pleasant.

### 5/5 — Absolutely love it!

*2021-05-10, version 13.5.12*

App is getting better and better, one of many best parts is that there is no subscription!!! I hope it stays that way, in-app-purchase is fine ;)

### 5/5 — Best out there

*2021-05-01, version 13.5.12*

Out of all the ssh terminal programs i’ve tried on the ipad pro, this is the best. Its the only one that allows me to send all the key combos I have for the tmux sessions in my remote machine. It allows me to scroll using the touchscreen. Useful features keeps getting added.

### 5/5 — really excellent and innovative

*2021-04-30, version 13.5.12*

Continued investment in developing this app has made it my tool of choice. Particularly I’m a fan of the latest keyboard — having a command key modifier on the touch keyboard is a simple, unique but incredibly effective feature. An excellent professional tool.

I’ll add that my 2nd favorite feature is the ability to send arbitrary hex codes with keyboard hot keys. The flexibility here is amazing.

## Frequently asked questions about Blink Shell 14

### What is Blink Shell 14: Legacy?

Blink Shell 14: Legacy is a terminal emulator application for iOS devices. It is designed to provide a fast, reliable, and customizable command-line experience for developers and power users, focusing on features like quick rendering, persistent connections, and excellent keyboard integration.

### What are the key features of Blink Shell 14: Legacy?

Key features include extremely fast rendering powered by Chromium's HTerm, always-on connectivity through Mosh to handle unstable networks, comprehensive support for Bluetooth keyboards with customizable key mappings, and a full-screen, gesture-driven interface for efficient navigation. It also offers custom fonts, themes, and SplitView support.

### Is Blink Shell 14: Legacy free to use?

This is a legacy version of the application. While current users are grandfathered in to receive updates, the new, free version of Blink Shell is recommended for new downloads. Information on the new version can be found at the provided iTunes link.

### What kind of devices is Blink Shell 14: Legacy compatible with?

Blink Shell is an iOS application, meaning it is designed to run on Apple devices such as iPhones and iPads. The description highlights features like SplitView and multiple windows, which are particularly relevant for iPad users.

### What are the main use cases for Blink Shell 14: Legacy?

This app is ideal for remotely accessing and managing Unix servers, coding on the go, and performing administrative tasks from an iOS device. Its always-on connectivity and robust keyboard support make it suitable for working in environments with intermittent internet access or for users who prefer a physical keyboard.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 14.0.11 — 2023-03-09

- Deadline to be grandfathered in the new version: April 15th

### 14.0.10 — 2022-02-20

- We continue moving everyone to the new Blink Shell & Code. All previous users are grandfathered!
- Adjustments to migration on Blink 15.

### 14.0.9 — 2022-02-11

- We are moving! Our new Blink Shell is out, checkout Settings for more information.
- Fixed SSH Config bugs affecting Tunnels and users.
- Better error output in case of SSH Config error.

### 14.0.7 — 2022-02-03

- New settings screen, built on top of SwiftUI and with new icons.
- FileProvider now support hosts with ProxyJump!! Refs #1318
- SSH Config flags now supports DynamicForward and other extra flags (like Key Exchange algorithms, etc...). This completes our new SSH Config system.

- Fixes shift-tab on iPhone software kb. Refs #1364

### 14.0.6 — 2022-01-21

- Allow to remap Cmd-. back to ESC. Refs #1358
- Optmize menu generation
- Fixes for FileProvider hangs under certain conditions. Thanks rrgeorge and gyre
- Fixes for FileProvider under Windows when using other drives. Thanks Jeremy.rm
- Hotfix for custom shortcuts

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*