# SSH Tunnel: VPN & SOCKS5 proxy — VPN, proxy & port forwarding

> Mobile SSH tunnel and SOCKS5 proxy management with port forwarding. (iPhone/iPad app by Mobibean, LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-tunnel-vpn-and-socks5-proxy/id1260223542 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Mobibean, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1142567045)
- Category: Developer Tools, Utilities
- Price: $9.99
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 148 App Store ratings · 103 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 16 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-07-24
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-tunnel-vpn-and-socks5-proxy/id1260223542/reviews.md

## What is SSH Tunnel?

SSH Tunnel is the easiest way to tunnel your traffic through your own SSH server on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Version 3.0 is a complete native rewrite with a new VPN engine: route ALL device traffic through your server, keep it running in the background, and reconnect automatically. The old foreground-only limitation is gone.

TWO ENGINES

- VPN engine: system-wide tunnel built on Apple's Network Extension. Works in the background, survives restarts, and restores itself after reboots and network changes (On Demand).
- Proxy engine: a local SOCKS5 proxy with a PAC file for browsers, third-party apps, or sharing the tunnel with other devices on your Wi-Fi. Run several tunnels at once.

FEATURES

- Dynamic port forwarding (SOCKS5 proxy), like "ssh -D"
- Local port forwarding, like "ssh -L 80:intra.example.com:80 gw.example.com"
- Password, private key, and keyboard-interactive (2FA/OTP) authentication
- Keys: ed25519, ECDSA, RSA (rsa-sha2), OpenSSH and PuTTY .ppk formats, import from file
- Modern ciphers and OpenSSH 8.8+ compatibility
- Host key fingerprint verification
- In-app browser that uses the tunnel (iOS)
- Proxy Auto-Configuration (PAC) URL with custom PAC rules
- Live transfer statistics and connection logs
- Connection export & import
- Passcode & Face ID protection
- Idle disconnect timer
- Native menu bar app on macOS, included with your purchase
- Dark mode. No ads, no subscriptions, no accounts.

YOUR SERVER, YOUR DATA

SSH Tunnel connects only to a server YOU provide. There are no accounts and no servers we operate: your traffic flows directly between your device and your own SSH server. We never see, collect, or sell any of it.

You need your own SSH server to use this application.

Support: support@mobibean.zendesk.com

## Key features

- Local Port Forwarding
- Dynamic Port Forwarding (SOCKS5 proxy)
- Password, Private Key, 2FA authentication
- Multiple SSH Key support
- Connection Export & Import
- Proxy Auto-Configuration (PAC) file support

## Chart rankings

- #6 in Top Paid · Developer Tools (US App Store)
- #62 in Top Grossing · Developer Tools (US App Store)

## What do users think of SSH Tunnel?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- ✅ Works well for SSH tunneling when used as intended
- 🌐 Supports SOCKS5 dynamic forwarding
- 🔐 Supports multiple SSH key formats
- 📱 Useful built-in browser for tunnel access
- ⚙️ Proxy auto-configuration (PAC) support
- 🎯 Simple and intuitive interface
- 👨‍💼 Excellent developer support and responsiveness
- 🚀 Stable connections when app stays in foreground
- 📊 Works well on iPad with split-screen/Stage Manager

**Cons**

- 🚫 Cannot maintain SSH tunnel in background (30-second limit)
- ⚠️ App disconnects when switched to other applications
- 💰 Expensive for limited functionality ($7.99-$10)
- 🔄 Lacks transparency about iOS limitations in description
- 🌐 In-app browser leaks user IP address
- 📍 Requires location services enabled for background operation
- 🐛 Ports not freed up after tunnel termination
- 📱 Limited functionality on iPhone vs iPad
- ⏱️ Tunnel drops within 10-30 seconds in background
- 🔌 Cannot configure system-wide SOCKS proxy on iPhone

**Commonly reported bugs**

- 2FA login not working despite being advertised
- In-app browser unable to access localhost or local IP addresses
- Private key parsing issues (requires proper line endings)
- Connection drops frequently (every 5 minutes in some cases)
- App crashes unexpectedly
- Cannot edit or delete existing connections
- Tunnel connection drops when changing applications
- Port remains busy after tunnel termination
- Location services prompt appears every time app closes
- App not updated for iOS 16+ compatibility
- SOCKS5 functionality not working in some cases
- Incompatible with iOS 18

**Most requested features**

- Background app refresh capability
- VPN interface implementation for system-wide traffic routing
- Multiple simultaneous tunnels
- Tabs in built-in browser
- Remote port forwarding support
- 2FA/Two-factor authentication support
- Better documentation and setup guides
- Support for PuTTY key format
- Mouse click events in in-app browser
- Shortcuts app integration
- Compression option support
- Global proxy support for mobile networks

## Recent user reviews (10 of 103)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ssh-tunnel-vpn-and-socks5-proxy/id1260223542/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Flaky, unreliable.

*2026-07-11*

Doesn’t handshake correctly with Safari and other clients. May be an impossible promise, trying to run this in the background.

**Developer response:** Fixed in 3.0. The new VPN engine keeps the tunnel alive in the background and routes the whole device through it, Safari included.

### 1/5 — Не работает в фоновом режиме

*2026-04-08, version 2.1.0*

Приложение не работает в фоновом режиме, оно просто теряет всякий смысл

### 1/5 — Не работает в фоне

*2026-03-23, version 2.1.0*

Это просто отстой, когда приложение сворачиваешь и оно выдает предупреждение, что не работает в фоне. Весь смысл приложения пропадает. Не покупайте его!

### 1/5 — Too bad

*2026-01-04, version 2.1.0*

It doesn't support background running, yet it's still okay to charge for it ???

### 1/5 — Useless

*2025-12-04, version 2.1.0*

It only runs in the foreground. Can’t setup a systemwide SOCKS proxy.

### 1/5 — trash!

*2025-08-22, version 2.1.0*

Don’t buy, socks5 did not work!  Did not support ios18!

### 1/5 — Scum

*2025-06-26*

Полный развод, не работает в фоне, кончается сразу. Взяли деньги мошенники!

**Developer response:** Исправлено в 3.0. Появился режим VPN: туннель работает в фоне, весь трафик устройства идёт через него.

### 3/5 — Needs background app refresh

*2025-01-23*

Works great but would appreciate if you could update it to work with background app refresh so you can connect to the forwarded port in other apps

**Developer response:** Fixed in 3.0. The new VPN engine keeps the tunnel alive in the background and routes the whole device through it.

### 1/5 — Won’t work in background as a VPN

*2024-11-12, version 2.1.0*

This will not redirect all the traffic of the device through the tunnel

### 1/5 — Absolute scam

*2024-09-28*

I needed it to access a web server on a router which is only accessible from local network. I normally access it in macOS with a port tunnel. With this app is impossible. It uses some kind of built in browser incapable of accessing localhost as the ssh server host or the ip 192.168.5.1. Completely useless. It is meant to access internet only

## Frequently asked questions about SSH Tunnel

### What does SSH Tunnel do?

SSH Tunnel allows you to manage SSH tunnels and port forwarding on your iOS device. It enables you to configure a local SOCKS5 proxy with a private tunnel to your own SSH server, providing secure remote access and traffic redirection.

### What are the main features of SSH Tunnel?

Key features include local and dynamic port forwarding, support for password, private key, and 2FA authentication, multiple SSH key types, host key fingerprint checking, connection statistics, export/import functionality, and PAC file support for advanced traffic rules.

### Is SSH Tunnel free to use?

Yes, the application is free to use. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned in the provided description.

### What are the compatibility requirements for SSH Tunnel?

The application is designed for mobile devices running iOS. To use the app, you need to have an SSH server configured that you can connect to.

### How can I use SSH Tunnel for traffic redirection?

SSH Tunnel offers advanced traffic redirection capabilities. You can manually configure a PAC (Proxy Auto-Config) file with special rules to redirect traffic based on factors like the Wi-Fi network, time of day, or the requested resource address.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.0.0 — 2026-08-24

**The tunnel finally works in the background.** Full native rewrite (Swift).
Connections, keys and settings migrate automatically.

- New VPN engine: route all device traffic through your own SSH server. Runs in
  the background, survives closing the app, reconnects after reboot.
- New macOS menu bar app, included with the same purchase.
- In-app browser now uses the tunnel; added address bar, back/forward, reload.
- Import private keys from a file.
- Multiple tunnels at once.
- Host key change alerts.
- Appearance System / Light / Dark.
- Fixed RSA keys against OpenSSH 8.8+.
- Fixed PAC file serving.
- Fixed idle timeout killing active tunnels.
- Removed location permission. No analytics (crash reports only).
- Requires iOS 17+ / macOS 14+.

### 2.1.0 — 2020-09-20

Allow customizing in-app browser URL.
Improve iOS 14 compatibilities.

### 2.0.2 — 2019-10-21

- Various UI fixes
- Fix PAC file help popup

### 2.0.1 — 2019-10-14

Added in-app browser (click globe icon on active connection screen)
The app will show WiFi IP address on active connection screen if Bind Address is "0.0.0.0"

### 2.0.0 — 2019-10-10

WARNING: The app can't work in the background due to the App Store limitations.

Added support of  "keyboard-interaction" auth method.
Added support of ED25519 and ECDSA private keys.
NFC OTP support (Yubikey).
Support of Putty private keys.
Added an ability to clear location history.
Fixed iOS 13 compatibility.
Fix application UI issues.
Various performance improvements.

## More apps by Mobibean, LLC

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All apps by Mobibean, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/1142567045

## Related topics

[proxy ssh](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/proxy-ssh) · [ssh tunnel](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ssh-tunnel) · [five socks](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/five-socks)

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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 2026-08-26.*