How to Use a PuTTY Key (.ppk) via the NeoServer SSH Client on iOS

Author: Neo Huang
LAST UPDATED: 2026-08-15 16:04:21
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NeoServer is a powerful SSH client and server management tool for iOS (as well as iPadOS and macOS), hailed as an excellent alternative to PuTTY, Termux, and JuiceSSH. It supports terminal connections, SFTP file management, Docker/Podman container operations, real-time server monitoring (such as CPU, memory, disk, network, and GPU usage), and iOS widgets. Notably, NeoServer offers native support for directly importing PuTTY private key formats (.ppk) without requiring additional conversion tools, greatly simplifying the migration from Windows PuTTY to iOS.

1. Preparation

  • Download and install NeoServer: Search for "NeoServer: SSH Client|Terminal" on the App Store to download and install it (supports iPhone, iPad, and Mac). The free version already includes basic SSH and SFTP features, while advanced features (such as certain SFTP editing capabilities, batch scripts, SOCKS5, etc.) require an in-app purchase to unlock.
  • Obtain the .ppk file: Your PuTTY private key file (usually ending in .ppk). Ensure you know the username and server IP/domain associated with the key, as well as whether the key is password-protected.
  • Server-side configuration: Ensure the remote server (Linux/NAS, etc.) has added the corresponding public key to the ~/.ssh/authorized_keys file and has set the correct permissions (chmod 600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys and chmod 700 ~/.ssh).

Note: NeoServer stores data locally and does not upload it to third-party servers. It supports iCloud sync and Face ID unlock, offering excellent privacy.

2. Directly Import the .ppk Key into NeoServer

Recent updates to NeoServer have explicitly added support for directly importing the PuTTY private key format (.ppk), and subsequent versions have fixed several key import issues.

Steps:

  1. Open the NeoServer App.
  2. Go to the Server Management or Host List screen (usually featuring a "+" button to add a server).
  3. Click to add a new server/host, and fill in the basic information:
    • Hostname or IP Address
    • Port (default is 22)
    • Username (the user associated with the key)
  4. Under Authentication, select Private Key or a similar option.
  5. Click to import the key:
    • Supports importing from Files (Files App), Clipboard, or by directly selecting the .ppk file.
    • Select your .ppk file; if the key is password-protected, the app will prompt you to enter the passphrase.
  6. Save the server configuration.

Once successfully imported, NeoServer will process the .ppk format and use it for SSH key authentication. You can click connect directly to test it.

Tips:

  • If the import fails (in rare cases with older .ppk versions), try updating the app to the latest version (version 8.0.4 and above have fixed several import issues).
  • Supports Jump Host and SOCKS5 Proxy, making it suitable for enterprise intranets or complex network environments.
  • Supports Wake-on-LAN (WOL) to wake up servers over a local area network.

3. If You Need to Convert .ppk (Optional, Not Required)

Although NeoServer supports direct import, if you want to use or back it up with other tools, you can convert the .ppk to OpenSSH format (operate on a computer):

Using PuTTYgen on Windows:

  1. Open PuTTYgen.
  2. Click "Load" to load the .ppk file (enter the passphrase if required).
  3. Go to the "Conversions" menu → "Export OpenSSH key" to save it as a private key file (e.g., id_rsa).
  4. The public key portion can be directly copied for use in the server's authorized_keys.

Using puttygen on Linux/macOS (requires putty-tools installed):

puttygen yourkey.ppk -O private-openssh -o id_rsa
puttygen yourkey.ppk -O public-openssh -o id_rsa.pub

After conversion, you can also import the OpenSSH format private key into NeoServer (the app typically supports standard OpenSSH private keys as well).

4. Connection and Usage

  • After adding the server, click connect in the host list.
  • NeoServer's terminal supports:
    • Copy/Paste
    • Special keys (arrow keys, Ctrl, etc.)
    • tmux session restoration
    • Shell script initialization
    • Command auto-completion (triggered by double-tapping TAB)
  • It also supports SFTP for browsing, editing, and uploading/downloading files (basic operations are supported in the free version).
  • Server monitoring: View CPU temperature, GPU usage, disk IOPS, network speed, and more in real-time. You can also add iOS 17 widgets.

Advanced Features (Premium):

  • Terminal theme customization
  • Batch server script execution
  • Full SFTP file editing (syntax highlighting)
  • Container creation/restart and other operations

5. Common Troubleshooting

  • Key authentication failed: Confirm that the server-side public key is correct and permissions are set properly; check if the .ppk has a password and was entered correctly; try restarting the app or device.
  • Import error prompt: Update the app, or try exporting to OpenSSH format using PuTTYgen first before importing.
  • Network issues: Use a Jump Host or SOCKS5 proxy to resolve intranet access.
  • Multi-device sync: Enable iCloud sync to share keys and server configurations across iPhone/iPad/Mac.

6. Why Recommend NeoServer?

  • Designed specifically for server management, far exceeding simple terminal tools.
  • Especially friendly to NAS (like Synology, TrueNAS, QNAP), self-hosted, and Docker users.
  • Modern interface, supports dark mode, and offers robust monitoring visualizations.
  • Developer feedback channel: [email protected] (also available within the app).

With NeoServer, you can easily and securely manage remote servers using PuTTY's .ppk keys on your iPhone or iPad without extra conversion, ensuring a smooth operating experience. If you are a Windows PuTTY user transitioning to iOS, this is one of the best choices available.