# IRCpug — Powerful, modern IRC client

> Powerful, modern IRC client (iPhone/iPad app by Pawel Karpinski.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ircpug/id6798395157 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Pawel Karpinski](https://appshunter.io/developer/1662830028)
- Category: Social Networking, Utilities
- Price: $3.99
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 32 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-09-02
- Data updated: 2026-09-18
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ircpug/id6798395157/reviews.md

## What is IRCpug?

IRCpug is a native IRC client for iPhone and iPad. Keep multiple networks, channels, and direct conversations together in an interface built for Apple devices—without hiding the parts of IRC that experienced users rely on.

CONNECT YOUR WAY

Use direct TCP, TLS, STARTTLS, or IRC over WebSocket. Configure alternate endpoints, automatic reconnect, IPv4 or IPv6 preference, client certificates, and SOCKS or HTTP CONNECT proxies. Strict Transport Security helps compatible networks keep future connections secure.

MODERN AUTHENTICATION

Authenticate with server passwords or SASL PLAIN, EXTERNAL, SCRAM, and OAUTHBEARER. Passwords, OAuth tokens, client identities, proxy credentials, channel keys, and FiSH keys are kept in Keychain-backed storage.

CATCH UP AND FIND IT AGAIN

IRCv3 history and supported bouncers can replay the conversation you missed. IRCpug keeps an optional SQLite archive on your device, with global search that works even when every network is offline. Mentions from all connected networks appear in one inbox.

A CONVERSATION-FIRST CLIENT

Read IRC formatting, reply in context, react on compatible networks, inspect members and topics, manage channels, and use a full command composer. Unread landmarks, highlights, typing indicators, drafts, notification replies, and multiple windows help conversations remain usable on both iPhone and iPad.

FILES WHEN YOU NEED THEM

Receive and send supported DCC transfers, resume compatible transfers, or use IRCv3 FILEHOST on configured networks. Transfers are always explicit and visible. DCC itself does not authenticate or encrypt a transfer, so accept files only from people you trust.

PRIVACY AND CONTROL

IRCpug contains no advertising, analytics, or third-party SDKs. Message history and search stay on your device. Remote images, videos, link previews, avatars, and network icons are off by default and have separate controls. Local ignore rules and flood protection help you manage unwanted messages.

OPTIONAL BACKGROUND NOTIFICATIONS

Connect through soju or another compatible IRC Web Push bouncer to receive encrypted message notifications while IRCpug is suspended or closed. Enable it in Settings—no relay URL or administrator token is required. IRCpug Push Service routes device-encrypted data to APNs and cannot decrypt message content. Turn it off at any time.

OPTIONAL LEGACY ENCRYPTION

FiSH compatibility can encrypt message bodies for compatible peers using a manual key or DH1080 key exchange. FiSH does not hide nicknames, channels, timing, or other IRC metadata, and it does not encrypt DCC transfers.

IRCpug does not operate a public IRC service. The networks you choose have their own accounts, rules, privacy practices, and moderation policies.

Requires iOS 17. Designed for iPhone and iPad.


## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.0.4 — 2026-09-15

1.0.4

- Unread message counts are easier to read, with larger semibold digits
  inside padded, high-contrast badges that adapt to light and dark mode
  and accessibility text sizes.
- Reduced the spacing between the @ symbol and the count in mention badges.

### 1.0.3 — 2026-09-14

1.0.3

- Closed channels no longer reappear when the app is killed and relaunched
  or when history finishes loading. Message history remains available in
  search, and channels can still be reopened or rejoined.

### 1.0.2 — 2026-09-11

v1.0.2

Added

- Pinned chats, conversation search, and unread, direct-message, and network filters.
- Local history filters for sender, date range, and links, plus recent searches.
- Guided first-network setup with nickname, account, and channel-joining steps.
- Searchable settings with direct navigation to matching controls.
- Saved messages with navigation to their original conversation context.
- Optional, manual iCloud sync for network configurations, shared identities,
  and selected appearance preferences, with conflict review and recovery from
  interrupted imports. Credentials and message history stay on the device.

Changed

- Moved ordinary composer drafts into protected files excluded from backups.
  Credential-bearing drafts remain in memory; known legacy credential drafts
  are removed during migration.
- Improved large-text setup, keyboard actions, and empty-state messaging.
- Extracted chat navigation and network capability views into separate components.

### 1.0.1 — 2026-09-02

- changed Mentions look and feel
- bugfixes

### 1.0.0 — 2026-09-02

No release notes.

## More apps by Pawel Karpinski

- [Tortilka the Pug](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tortilka-the-pug/id1662829060)
- [Hajz Spending Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hajz-spending-tracker/id1663174046)
- [Funny Cartoon Pug](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/funny-cartoon-pug/id6447436954)
- [Pikor the Cat](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pikor-the-cat/id6447959596)
- [ICS Toolkit](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ics-toolkit/id6757446844)
- [Kweezzie](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kweezzie/id6758416784)

All apps by Pawel Karpinski: https://appshunter.io/developer/1662830028

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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 2026-09-18.*