Guide

How to use SSH on a Mac

Published July 16, 2026 · By Useroam Teknoloji

macOS includes everything you need to use SSH out of the box. Here's how to connect from the terminal, set up keys and save connections — and when a native graphical client makes daily work easier.

1. Connect from Terminal

Open Terminal (Applications → Utilities) and run:

ssh username@server-address

For example, ssh admin@example.com. Enter your password, or authenticate with a key (below). To use a non-default port, add -p 2222.

2. Generate an SSH key (recommended)

Keys are safer and more convenient than passwords:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "you@example.com"
ssh-copy-id username@server-address

Your keys live in ~/.ssh. The public key (.pub) goes on the server; the private key stays on your Mac.

3. Save servers in ~/.ssh/config

Instead of typing full addresses, define hosts once:

Host web01
  HostName 203.0.113.10
  User admin
  IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_ed25519

Now just run ssh web01.

4. Transfer files with SFTP

From the terminal you can use sftp username@server-address or scp file username@server:/path. For a graphical two-panel experience, a native app is far more comfortable.

5. Make it easier with a native app

When you manage more than a couple of servers, a graphical client saves time. Noden is a native macOS SSH & SFTP client that imports your ~/.ssh/config and existing keys, shows a grid of live terminals, includes a dual-pane SFTP browser, and offers an optional AI assistant that suggests commands and asks before running them. Secrets are stored in the macOS Keychain.

brew install --cask useroamteknoloji/tap/noden

Download Noden for macOS How to use SFTP on Mac

Frequently asked questions

Does macOS have an SSH client built in?

Yes. The ssh command is included in Terminal on every Mac. For a graphical experience with saved connections and file transfers, use an app like Noden.

Where are SSH keys stored on a Mac?

In the ~/.ssh folder in your home directory. Noden reads Ed25519 and ECDSA keys from there.

How do I save SSH connections on a Mac?

Add them to ~/.ssh/config, or use Noden to save and organize connections with a UI.