iCloud Backup & Sync

Setting up a new iPhone shouldn't mean re-typing every server, workspace, and setting. iCloud Backup saves your ServerCC configuration to your own iCloud storage and restores it on any device signed into the same Apple ID. It's a free feature — no Pro subscription required.

Where to Find It

Open Settings → Sync → iCloud Backup. You need to be signed into iCloud on the device.

What Gets Backed Up

  • Servers — name, host, port, username, environment variables, custom paths, and other settings
  • Workspaces — including per-workspace settings like permission mode and Codex sandbox/approval modes
  • SSH key metadata (name, type, fingerprint) — the private keys themselves are not included
  • Quick commands and app preferences
Credentials are never in the backup

SSH private keys, passwords, and passphrases are never uploaded with the backup. They stay in each device's Keychain — unless you opt into iCloud Keychain credential sync (below).

Backing Up & Restoring

  • Back Up Now creates a new backup each time — nothing is overwritten. ServerCC keeps your 10 most recent backups.
  • Each backup in the list shows the device it came from, the time, and a summary of its contents (servers · workspaces · SSH keys).
  • Tap a backup to restore — restoring merges the backup into this device, it never blindly wipes local data. Swipe left to delete a backup from iCloud.

Credential Sync via iCloud Keychain (Opt-in)

The Sync Credentials via iCloud Keychain toggle (on the same screen, off by default) syncs SSH keys, passwords, and passphrases to your other devices through iCloud Keychain, end-to-end encrypted. With it on, a restored backup connects right away — no re-entering credentials.

  • Requires iCloud Keychain to be enabled in the iOS system Settings
  • Turning it off keeps credentials on this device only and removes them from iCloud Keychain — your other devices lose access to them

After Restoring Without Credential Sync

If you restore on a new device with credential sync off, ServerCC shows a Restore Complete checklist: servers that are ready get a green check, and servers still missing a password or key show what's left to set up — tap one to re-enter the credential. The SSH Keys tab likewise flags keys as Re-import needed or Passphrase needed until you complete them. Each credential is entered once per device and stored in that device's Keychain only.

Privacy

Backups live in the private CloudKit database of your iCloud account — ServerCC's developer cannot read them. Credential sync uses Apple's iCloud Keychain, which is end-to-end encrypted by design.

See also: SSH Keys for key management and re-import, and Privacy for what ServerCC stores and where.