# CloseAI — Self-Hosted AI on Your Server > Self-hosted AI assistant for Ubuntu servers, managed from your iPhone. (iPhone/iPad app by Bardia Barabadi.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/closeai/id6760688649 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Bardia Barabadi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1816847047) - Category: Productivity, Utilities - Price: Free - Rating: 4.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 12+ - Requires: iOS 26.2 · 11 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-03-19 - Data updated: 2026-06-27 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/closeai/id6760688649/reviews.md ## What is CloseAI? CloseAI turns your own Ubuntu server into a private AI assistant you fully control. No subscriptions. No third-party relay. Your conversations never leave your infrastructure. HOW IT WORKS Connect CloseAI to any Ubuntu 24.04 VPS over SSH. The app remotely installs the full AI stack — Ollama runtime, a FastAPI backend, and TLS — directly on your server in minutes. After setup, all chat traffic runs encrypted between your iPhone and your server. You own every byte. SETUP IN MINUTES Choose how you connect: • Password setup — enter your SSH credentials, the app installs everything and automatically upgrades you to key-based auth afterward • Key setup — the app generates an SSH key pair on your device, you paste the public key into your VPS dashboard, done Both paths run automated preflight checks, let you pick your starting model, and install the full stack remotely. If CloseAI is already installed, the app reconnects automatically. CHOOSE YOUR MODEL Five open-source models, install any combination: • Llama 3.2 (3B) — Fast, versatile, ideal for everyday use • Phi-4 Mini — Compact reasoning model from Microsoft Research • Gemma 3 (4B) — Highest quality output from Google DeepMind • Qwen 2.5 Coder (7B) — Specialized for code generation and debugging • DeepSeek-R1 (7B) — Chain-of-thought reasoning, strong at math Switch models from the chat toolbar. The Ollama port is also exposed for direct use with Open WebUI, Continue.dev, and other compatible tools. SEARCH YOUR CONVERSATIONS Full-text search across all conversations and messages. Type a keyword and instantly find any message — tap to jump directly to it in context. BUILT FOR PRIVACY • SSH key authentication — your private key never leaves your device • Zero third-party API calls at runtime • API key and SSH credentials secured in iOS Keychain • TLS certificate pinned on first connect (TOFU) • Nothing synced to iCloud or any external service MANAGE YOUR SERVER FROM YOUR PHONE • Live server health, Ollama status, and disk usage • Install or remove AI models on demand • One-tap full uninstall — removes every CloseAI file from your server • View the direct Ollama API URL for power-user access WHAT YOU NEED • Ubuntu 24.04 server (VPS or dedicated) — 8 GB RAM minimum, 30 GB free disk • SSH access with sudo privileges • Outbound internet on the server for the initial model download (~2–3 GB) CloseAI is for developers, researchers, and privacy-conscious users who want the power of modern AI without sending their conversations to a cloud service. ## Key features - Self-hosted AI on your Ubuntu server - Connects via SSH with secure authentication - Installs and manages multiple AI models - Full-text search of conversations - Live server health monitoring - One-tap full server uninstall ## Recent user reviews (1 of 1) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/closeai/id6760688649/reviews.md ### 4/5 — Awesome *2026-03-24* Please add support for ssh keys via file import & paste. Frankly, if you can help people also with OpenClaw/Goose/Claude Code/OpenCode/etc in the same boilerplate/preflight method of process and flow; this app would be one of a kind. It already cuts through a lot of the bs and troubleshooting for ollama. **Developer response:** Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. Added in V2. Give it a try! ## Frequently asked questions about CloseAI ### What is CloseAI? CloseAI is a mobile application that allows you to set up and manage a private AI assistant on your own Ubuntu server. It handles the installation of AI models and ensures your conversations remain within your infrastructure. ### How do I set up CloseAI? You can connect CloseAI to your Ubuntu 24.04 VPS via SSH using either password or key-based authentication. The app guides you through the process, installs the necessary AI stack, and lets you choose your initial AI model. ### What AI models can I use with CloseAI? CloseAI supports five open-source models: Llama 3.2 (3B), Phi-4 Mini, Gemma 3 (4B), Qwen 2.5 Coder (7B), and DeepSeek-R1 (7B). You can install any combination and switch between them easily. ### Is my data secure with CloseAI? Yes, CloseAI is built for privacy. It uses SSH key authentication, has zero third-party API calls at runtime, secures credentials in iOS Keychain, and does not sync anything to external services like iCloud. ### What are the server requirements for CloseAI? You need an Ubuntu 24.04 server (VPS or dedicated) with a minimum of 8 GB RAM and 30 GB free disk space. The server also requires SSH access with sudo privileges and outbound internet for initial model downloads. ### Can I manage my server through CloseAI? Yes, CloseAI provides live server health monitoring, including Ollama status and disk usage. You can also install or remove AI models and perform a one-tap full uninstall directly from your phone. ### Does CloseAI have ads? No, CloseAI is ad-free. The application is free to use and does not display advertisements. ### What devices is CloseAI compatible with? CloseAI is available for iPhone and iPad devices, allowing you to manage your private AI assistant from your Apple mobile devices. ## Version history (last 2 releases) ### 2.0 — 2026-04-06 V2: Major security and usability upgrade. • SSH key authentication: set up with a password (auto-upgrades to key auth) or paste your public key into your VPS dashboard — no password needed at all • 5 AI models: added Qwen 2.5 Coder (7B) for programming and DeepSeek-R1 (7B) for chain-of-thought reasoning • Full-text search: find any message across all your conversations instantly • Root user support: works seamlessly on VPS images that default to root login • Faster reconnects: shared connection pool eliminates post-install delays • Improved stability: fixed state management races and edge cases across the setup flow ### 1.0 — 2026-03-19 No release notes. ## More apps by Bardia Barabadi - [Mood Matrix](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mood-matrix/id6754904513) - [PocketTop](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pockettop/id6762592212) All apps by Bardia Barabadi: https://appshunter.io/developer/1816847047 --- *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 2026-06-27.*