# Telnet Lite — gives easy access to a server

> Mobile VT220 terminal emulator for Telnet and SSH2 server access. (iPhone/iPad app by MochaSoft.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/telnet-lite/id286893976 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [MochaSoft](https://appshunter.io/developer/284741182)
- Category: Business, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.50/5 from 20 App Store ratings · 165 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.6 · 5 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2019-02-01
- Data updated: 2026-08-15
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/telnet-lite/id286893976/reviews.md

## What is Telnet Lite?

Mocha Telnet provides access to a Linux/UNIX Telnet Server. Using your iPhone or iPad, you can connect to a Telnet Server and run applications in a VT220 Terminal window. Exactly as you would, if you were sitting at your system console, just on a smaller screen.

LITE VERSION
The full version does not require a coffee break (30 seconds) on the Server after 5 minutes use.

FEATURES
- Supports all standard VT220 emulation features.
- Alternate screen size (24x80 or 24x132).
- Zoom and scroll as the Safari browser. 
- Telnet and SSH2 protocol.
- ANSI color.
- Landscape mode. 
- Auto login.
- OPTICON 200X barcode scanner.
- Support for Zebra RFD8500, CS4070 and LI3678 barcode scanner.
- Linea barcode scanner and card reader.
- SocketMobile S700 and series 7 hardware scanner.
- Camera as barcode scanner.
- Pop up keyboard. 
- User defined key values. 
- Colors can be customized.

## Key features

- VT220 terminal emulation
- Telnet and SSH2 protocol support
- Barcode scanner integration
- Customizable terminal colors and size
- Auto login functionality

## What do users think of Telnet Lite?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- ✅ Functional telnet/SSH client for basic remote access
- 📱 Useful for mobile device administration
- ⚙️ Configurable settings and keyboard layouts
- 🎯 Works well for quick emergency access
- 💾 Saves SSH credentials for convenience
- 🔧 Supports macro functionality for commands
- 📡 Compatible with various network devices (routers, servers, Cisco gear)

**Cons**

- ⏱️ 5-minute session timeout limit (major complaint)
- ⌨️ Enter button removed/relocated in recent updates
- 🐢 Slow performance and laggy keyboard animations
- 📵 Disconnects when switching to other apps
- ⌨️ Keyboard obscures input/cursor visibility
- ❌ Missing essential keys (ESC, function keys, arrow keys, tab, control)
- 🔄 Frequent updates that worsen functionality
- 💸 Expensive upgrade path with poor value proposition
- 📤 Export feature broken/incomplete
- 🚫 Poor developer support and responsiveness
- 🔌 Crashes on certain iOS versions
- 📋 No copy/paste functionality
- 🎨 Garbled/crude display quality

**Commonly reported bugs**

- 5-minute session timeout introduced in update
- Enter button missing or relocated in recent versions
- App crashes on iOS 3.0 and later versions
- Keyboard animations are laggy
- Text entry is very slow
- Cannot send carriage return (CR) properly
- App freezes on connection screen
- Crashes after 4 minutes of use
- Cannot input login credentials
- Display shows garbled text
- Backspace key not functioning
- Export only exports last session
- Connection issues with certain servers
- App locks immediately after opening

**Most requested features**

- Remove or increase 5-minute session time limit
- Restore enter button to standard keyboard location
- Add ESC and function keys to lite version
- Implement arrow keys and tab key support
- Add copy/paste functionality
- Prevent disconnection when switching apps
- Improve keyboard positioning to not obscure input
- Add ANSI color support
- Implement scroll buffer for viewing history
- Add landscape mode support (or make it free)
- Support for different line-ending handling (CR/LF)
- Resizable window and movable terminal view
- Separate input line display
- Control key accessibility improvements

## Recent user reviews (10 of 165)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/telnet-lite/id286893976/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Piece of junk

*2026-06-05*

I can connect to the server but when I attempt to type anything including my login details it doesn’t allow a single character to enter the screen, this is entirely worthless

### 1/5 — iPhone 6

*2025-07-02*

Do not start, just open and closing suddenly. Everything was ok until last update

### 1/5 — Невозможно пользоваться

*2023-09-15*

Не работают стрелки для прокрутки

### 3/5 — Export only exported last session used

*2022-12-07*

Export broken, purchased app and tried to export and it would not export all sessions.

### 4/5 — Actually works, slowly

*2021-06-01*

I tried five other terminal apps before this one. None of them worked. This on runs but it is slow. 

If you’re using IOS then you likely are happy when your Apple device does anything so let’s call this app a win.

### 2/5 — Once decent; time to get rid of it

*2021-01-01*

I used to use Mocha Telnet on a regular basis.  When the developers, in their infinite wisdom, decided to make a 5 minute limit on sessions, that was the beginning of the end.  Since then, I’ve moved to Termius and found that it does everything that Mocha does, but better.  Bye bye!

### 5/5 — Perfekt für Dreambox

*2020-12-08*

Perfekt für alle Linux Receiver, also hier kann man nur volle Punktzahl vorgeben funktioniert alles, wenn man natürlich weiß wie

### 5/5 — great free telnet/ssh client

*2020-09-18*

Works great to ssh into home router/gateway.  Even saves ssh credentials if you’d like.  Nice keyboard and control key layouts.  I’m impressed.

### 5/5 — Top

*2020-09-09*

Macht das was es soll!!!

### 2/5 — 2.5 stars, really, as it’s basically half useful

*2020-02-07*

For what it is, it’s good. But the 5 minutes session timeout and lack of ability to upgrade to the full version and preserve existing settings makes it half what it could be. 

For short emergency access it is perfect. But for anything more involved, unless you don’t have any full computer anywhere nearby, it’s just easier to logon to a console with a decent keyboard and screen than pay £6 and then painstakingly re-enter your login details ona. touchscreen interface.

## Frequently asked questions about Telnet Lite

### What does this app do?

This app allows you to connect to Linux/UNIX Telnet servers from your iPhone or iPad. It provides a VT220 terminal window, enabling you to run server applications remotely as if you were at the system console.

### What are the key features of this app?

Key features include full VT220 emulation, support for Telnet and SSH2 protocols, ANSI color, customizable screen sizes, zoom and scroll functionality, auto-login, and integration with various barcode scanners.

### Is this app free to use?

Yes, this is the Lite version of the application and is available for free. The full version has some differences, such as not requiring a brief break after a period of use.

### What devices is this app compatible with?

The app is designed for use on iPhone and iPad devices. It supports standard VT220 emulation features and can be used with various barcode scanners compatible with iOS devices.

### What are common use cases for this app?

Common use cases include remotely managing Linux or UNIX servers, accessing command-line applications on servers, and using barcode scanners for data entry in server-based systems directly from a mobile device.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.7 — 2026-01-06

- Minor bug fixes.

### 5.6 — 2025-06-21

Updated the minimum requirement to iOS 16.6

### 5.5 — 2025-06-19

Supports new Zebra Scanner API

### 5.4 — 2025-05-30

Added ANSI color support

### 5.3 — 2024-09-19

Solved problem with the function: menu - configure - help

## Apps similar to Telnet Lite

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Mocha Telnet](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mocha-telnet/id286892932) | 3.3 (6) | $5.99 | Business |
| [Endpoint Central](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/endpoint-central/id1069313634) | 4.7 (412) | Free | Business |
| [OpenManage Mobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openmanage-mobile/id949941153) | 3.0 (26) | Free | Business |
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| [ManageEngine Ping Tool](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/manageengine-ping-tool/id460362949) | 4.8 (718) | Free | Business |
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## More apps by MochaSoft

- [TN5250](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tn5250/id284741179)
- [TN5250 Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tn5250-lite/id284906090)
- [Mocha VNC](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mocha-vnc/id284981670)
- [Mocha VNC Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mocha-vnc-lite/id284984448)
- [Mocha Telnet](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mocha-telnet/id286892932)

All apps by MochaSoft: https://appshunter.io/developer/284741182

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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 2026-08-15.*