sshChat logosshChatMobile SSH for iPhone
Tutorial

Set up Hetzner and SSH from your phone.

This tutorial is split by surface: Hetzner browser, sshChat on iPhone, and the remote Ubuntu server. That makes it obvious where to tap and where each command actually runs.

Step 1 of 5Waiting for confirmation

Step 1: Create the Ubuntu server in Hetzner

Hetzner Browser
Where this happens

In Safari or another browser on your phone, inside the Hetzner Cloud dashboard.

What to do

Create a new Ubuntu server, choose the region, and keep the IPv4 address visible after deployment.

You will need the public IP in the next step when you add the host to sshChat.
What you should save

Write down the server IP, the default user you plan to use, and whether Hetzner gave you password access or an SSH key based login.

Step 2: Decide how you log in the first time

Hetzner BrowsersshChat App
Where this happens

You check the login method in Hetzner, then configure it in sshChat.

What to choose

If you already have a private key on your phone, use key login. If not, use the initial password flow first and rotate to keys later.

For mobile onboarding, password first is usually the fastest way to get connected.
What you need ready

Have one of these ready before continuing: the root password, or the private SSH key you want to paste into sshChat.

Step 3: Add the server to sshChat

sshChat App
Where this happens

On your iPhone inside sshChat.

What to fill in

Create a new server entry with the Hetzner IP, port 22, the username, and the login method you chose in the previous step.

What you should see

After saving, the new Hetzner host is listed and ready to open.

Step 4: Connect and verify the host key

sshChat AppRemote Server
Where this happens

You tap connect in sshChat. The SSH handshake happens with the remote Hetzner server.

What to do

Open the host, verify the first fingerprint prompt, and accept it only if it matches the server you just created.

Type this here
whoami
hostname
pwd

Step 5: Save first admin commands for day-to-day use

sshChat AppRemote Server
Where this happens

You save the command in sshChat. It runs later on the remote Ubuntu server.

Good first commands
uptime
df -h
docker compose ps
sudo systemctl restart app
Why save them now

This turns the server into a repeatable mobile workflow instead of a one-off setup.

See server management pageCodex CLI tutorial