SSH Keys
SSH keys provide a secure, password-free way to authenticate with your servers. ServerCC supports importing and managing SSH keys directly from the app.
Supported Key Types
- Ed25519 — Recommended. Modern, fast, and secure.
- RSA — Widely compatible. Supports 2048, 3072, and 4096 bit key sizes.
ECDSA keys are not currently supported. If you need ECDSA support, please use Ed25519 or RSA instead.
Importing a Key
Navigate to the SSH Keys tab and tap the + button.
Enter key details
Provide a name for the key and an optional comment to help identify it.
Paste the private key
Paste your private key in PEM format into the text area. The key must start with -----BEGIN and end with -----END.
Add passphrase (if encrypted)
If your key is passphrase-protected, enter the passphrase. It will be stored securely in iOS Keychain alongside the key.
You can also import SSH keys directly when adding a server — the Add Server form includes an inline key import option.
Viewing Key Details
Tap any key in the list to view its details:
- Key type — Ed25519, RSA 2048, etc.
- Public key fingerprint — SHA256 fingerprint for identification
- Comment — Any comment associated with the key
Deleting a Key
Swipe left on a key in the list to reveal the Delete button. Deleting a key removes it from the app and iOS Keychain. Servers using this key will need to be updated with a different authentication method.
Security
All SSH keys and passphrases are stored in the iOS Keychain with kSecAttrAccessibleAfterFirstUnlockThisDeviceOnly protection. This means:
- Keys are encrypted at rest on the device
- Keys are only accessible after the device has been unlocked at least once after boot
- Keys are not included in device backups
- Keys never leave the device