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iSH Shell

iSH Shell

Linux in your pocket

1.2K ratings
391 reviews
#17 in free Developer Tools
🔧 Utilities
🛠️ Developer Tools
Free

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • October 22, 2020
  • May 21, 2023

Features

Developer

Theodore Dubois
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iSH Shell screenshot #1 for iPhone
iphone
ipad
📊no. 17
Charts↘︎
📌Ready
Reviews summary↘︎
⭐391
Reviews↘︎
📝40+ tags
Tags↘︎
🔄6+ apps
Alternatives↘︎
❓4 answered
FAQ↘︎
📦w/o updates
Updates frequency↘︎
🖼️Get Icon
Icons↘︎

About

Experience a Linux-like command-line environment directly on your iOS device. This application allows you to perform common Linux operations such as editing, moving, and manipulating files using familiar commands.

✓Linux-like shell environment
✓File editing with sed and cat
✓File manipulation
✓Command-line operations
✓Pocket Linux experience
Show original description

What users say

Summarized from real user reviews of iSH Shell. Based on 1.2K reviews and a 4.7/5 average, it highlights the 5 positives and 4 negatives reviewers mention most about this Developer Tools app.

Positive things

  • 🚀Excellent Linux environment
  • 👍Great for SSH and network utilities
  • 💡Allows running Linux apps on iOS
  • 🔒Secure and sandboxed
  • 👍Customizable and flexible

Negative things

  • 🐛Crashes and freezes
  • 🔋Battery intensive
  • ⚠️Limited functionality compared to full Linux
  • ⚠️Outdated packages and dependencies
See all reviews

What's New in iSH Shell

1.3.2

May 21, 2023

Fixed bugs: - Make better diagnostics work in the file provider too, to diagnose Files app issues

Charts

Top Free

📊 17

Developer Tools

The app has maintained its position at 17 recently.

Last updated on August 1, 2026.

User reviews

Most RecentHighest RatedLowest Rated

Great Linux app

I used this to mod my 3DS because my computer broke recently and this app worked perfectly as if I was using my computer. Simple and easy to use (if you know what you’re doing) and my 3DS is fully modded and I’m playing tomodachi life rn❤️✌️😼
Randomguyontheintern3tRandomguyontheintern3t

Real good

Can run all alpine commands, you might as well make a server out of it! I tried running rm -rf /*, and I got error code 2! Realistic!
Yusaa1Yusaa1

Perfect!

I’m using this with an iPad mini 6 and a Logitech Keys-To-Go. I have wanted linux on my iPad for the longest time. It’s great! For anyone who is reading this review and is not the developers, if your external keyboard isn’t working, just turn off full keyboard access. Anyway, that sums up my review!
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actuallytrustablereviewsactuallytrustablereviews

hoi lag

edit big C file kinda laggy with Neovim
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最强 App

没有之一
外星水滴外星水滴
See 386 more reviews

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User experience

🐞

Reported Bugs

3 issues

Cursor focus issues

Bug

Incompatibility with certain commands and packages

Bug

Mounting issues with iOS file system

Bug
✨

Requested Features

4 requests

Add support for more Linux distributions

Feature

Improve performance and stability

Feature

Implement GUI support

Feature

Add shortcuts and automation features

Feature

FAQ

What does iSH Shell do?

iSH Shell provides a Linux-like command-line environment on your iOS device. It allows you to execute common Linux commands for tasks like editing files with tools such as sed and cat, moving files, and other file management operations.

What are the key features of iSH Shell?

Key features include a Linux-like shell, the ability to edit files using commands like sed and cat, and general file manipulation capabilities. It essentially brings a pocket Linux experience to your iPhone or iPad.

Is iSH Shell free to use?

Yes, iSH Shell is a free application. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements within the app.

What can I use iSH Shell for?

You can use iSH Shell for various command-line tasks on your iOS device, such as basic file management, scripting, or learning Linux commands in a portable environment. It's useful for developers or anyone who needs terminal access on the go.