Pure-Shell

A private, open-source SSH client for Android.

It connects to your servers and gets out of the way. No accounts, no analytics, no ads.

Google Play: coming soon Source on GitHub
The Pure-Shell icon: a green terminal window with a >_ prompt

Built for people who care where their keys live

Hardware-backed keys

Keys are made inside your phone's secure hardware (StrongBox or TEE) where it exists. They can't be exported, and every use asks for your fingerprint or screen lock. A phone without secure hardware gets a clearly labelled software key.

Strict host keys

Trust on first use, with SHA-256 fingerprints and the exact command to check them on your server. A changed server key is a hard block: nothing is sent, and there is no "connect anyway" button.

No tracking

The app itself contains no analytics, ads or crash reporting. It talks to the servers you add and to nothing else.

Open source

Licensed under the GNU GPL, version 3 or later. Read the code, build it yourself, change it.

Stays connected

Sessions survive leaving the app. A notification shows only how many are active: never hostnames, usernames or terminal text.

A keyboard that behaves

A command box with swipe typing and suggestions, bracketed paste so pasted text is never run line by line, and an app lock that covers everything the moment you leave.

Private by design

  • Hosts are stored only on your phone. Passwords are asked every time and never stored.
  • Keys live in the Android Keystore. They are not backed up and never leave the device.
  • Screenshots and the recent-apps preview are blocked unless you allow them.
  • Nothing you type or see in a session is logged.

Read the privacy policy and the terms.

Get Pure-Shell

Pure-Shell will be on Google Play as a paid app: the signed, maintained build, with updates. The source code is free: anyone may build it under the GPL. The only official Pure-Shell builds are on Google Play, published by Janos-Raul.

Google Play: coming soon Build it from source

Join the beta

Pure-Shell is in closed testing on Google Play. Testers get the app free and help it reach public release.

  1. Join the Google Group. Sign in with the Google account you use on your phone.
    Join the Google Group
  2. Become a tester. Open the Play opt-in link and tap “Become a tester”.
    Play opt-in link
  3. Get your free promo code. We’ll usually email you a code after you join; if not, email us. Redeem it in the Play Store (profile icon > Payments & subscriptions > Redeem code) before installing.

Pure-Shell is a paid app (€4.99). Please redeem your promo code first, otherwise Play will ask you to pay.

Please keep the app installed and stay opted in for at least 14 days.

Questions or feedback? Email us.