Administer a remote Linux machine

Check a server, inspect logs, or work on a remote development machine from your Android phone with ConnectBot.

Before connecting

Ask your server administrator or hosting provider for the server’s hostname or IP address, SSH port, username, authentication method, and host-key fingerprint. SSH must be enabled and reachable from your phone’s network. A server on a private network may require a VPN.

Get ConnectBot on Google Play , then follow Add an SSH host. Save the host and open it from the Host List. Verify the host key before entering credentials.

Check your server

These commands inspect the remote machine without changing its configuration:


whoami
hostname
uptime
df -h

On a Linux server using systemd, systemctl --failed lists failed services and journalctl -n 50 shows recent log entries visible to your account. Available commands and permissions depend on the server.

Work comfortably

Keep special keys visible to use Ctrl, Esc, Tab, and arrows.
Adjust colors and font size for readable output.
Save separate hosts for the machines you use and keep multiple sessions open to switch between them.
For work that must remain running after disconnecting, use a server-side terminal multiplexer such as tmux if installed.

Use exit to leave the shell. For changing Wi-Fi or mobile networks, consider Mosh. If login fails, follow connection help.