✅ Problem with forwarding on IOS WebSSH Free Version

[machejc]

I cannot seem to get Forwardings working on WebSSH Free running on a IPhone 13 with IOS 18.3.2. The configuration works with just straight SSH producing the device a CLI but does not work forwarding ports so that I can access device-specific web pages via a browser. I have no problems accessing and using Port Forwarding from all my devices from my MacBook Pro using iTerm2.

I have this problem accessing through both the LAN and from the Internet.

The simplest configuration is accessing a Home Assistant Raspberry Pi device over the LAN with a Userid and Private Key as follows:

Port Forwarding

8123:localhost:8123

VPN-Over-SSH - Enabled

Port: 22

Any idea what I am doing wrong. Is there an IOS option I need to turn on?

Best,
--- Mache

[isontheline]

🇺🇸 Hey Mache @machejc 👋

Thanks a lot for your detailed message!

First of all, just to clarify: the free version of WebSSH is as capable as the PRO version when it comes to Port Forwarding. There’s absolutely no limitation there — so you’re not doing anything wrong because you’re using the free version 😄

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✅ Have you tried using the embedded Web browser in WebSSH?

Sometimes, iOS apps like Safari or Chrome don’t play nicely with local tunnels (e.g., localhost:8123). The embedded browser inside WebSSH is made to work directly with your Port Forwarding setup — try loading http://localhost:8123 from it and see if it works better!

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🔁 Try using Dynamic Port Forwarding with a wildcard

Instead of specifying:
8123:localhost:8123

Try using:
*

This will setup a Dynamic (SOCKS5-style) Port Forwarding, which works great with the embedded browser and gives you flexibility to access multiple ports through the same tunnel!

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Let me know how that goes — and feel free to share more if it still doesn’t work.

Have a great day ☀️

Arnaud - WebSSH Maintainer

Want to help me to support WebSSH development?

WebSSH isn't a subscription based app (you buy it for lifetime) but if you like my work and want to support me further, you can become a sponsor or you can just buy me a tiny coffee ☕️