How to Connect with an SSH Private Key on iPhone

TL;DR

ServerPanel supports SSH private-key authentication — PEM and OpenSSH keys, including passphrase-protected ones — and stores credentials in the iOS Keychain, never sending them anywhere but your server.

Steps

When adding a server in ServerPanel, choose private key auth.
Provide your PEM or OpenSSH key.
Enter the passphrase if the key is protected.
Connect — the credential is stored in the iOS Keychain.
Reconnect anytime without re-entering it.

Why it works this way

Key-based auth is the secure default for SSH, and ServerPanel supports the formats you already use — PEM and OpenSSH, passphrase-protected included. Just as important is where the secret lives: credentials sit in the iOS Keychain and are only ever sent to your server, never to a third party, so managing servers from your phone doesn’t mean trusting your keys to someone else’s cloud.

Tips & edge cases

Passphrase-protected keys are supported for an extra layer.
Keychain storage keeps credentials secured by the OS.
Premium adds e2e encrypted iCloud sync to carry servers across devices.

FAQ

Which key types are supported? PEM and OpenSSH private keys, including passphrase-protected keys.

Where are my credentials stored? In the iOS Keychain — they’re never sent anywhere but your server.

Is key auth better than a password? Generally yes; keys are stronger than passwords and are the standard for secure SSH access.