iPhone and Android
- Termius: free plan covers SSH, SFTP, and key storage on both platforms.
- Blink Shell on iPhone: makes keys in the app and exports the public half.
- ConnectBot on Android: free and open source, key-based logins.
How-tocomma fourcomma 3X
SSH into your comma from a laptop or phone
Switch on SSH in the Developer settings, tell the device your GitHub username, and connect as user comma on port 22. Phones work too.
Only your own GitHub username. Every public key on that account can log in to your device. Never enter someone else's name.
Once
Turn on SSH
Takes five minutes. You need a GitHub account with one SSH key on it.
Put an SSH key on your GitHub account
Make a key on your laptop or in your phone app, then add the public half under GitHub settings, SSH keys.
GitHub SSH keysTurn on SSH in Developer settings
On the device open Settings, then Developer, and switch on Enable SSH. Add your own GitHub username under SSH keys.
Let it fetch your keys once
The device downloads the public keys from your GitHub account one time. Re-enter the username after you change keys.
Get on the same network
Join the device's hotspot, or put the device on your home Wi-Fi and read its address in the Network settings.
Every time
Connect from a laptop
On the device's hotspot the address is always the same. Point your terminal at it with the key that matches your GitHub account.
Connect over the device hotspot
Terminal on macOS, Linux, or Windows
Read only
ssh comma@192.168.43.1If your key is not the default one, add -i and the path to it. On home Wi-Fi, replace the address with the one shown under Settings, Network.
No laptop needed
Connect from a phone
A phone app can make the key, hold it, and open the terminal. Add the app's public key to GitHub like any other.
Same rules as a laptop
Host 192.168.43.1 on the hotspot, user comma, port 22, key login. Join the device hotspot from the phone first, or use your home Wi-Fi address.
Good to know
- Your recorded drives live in /data/media/0/realdata on the device.
- With comma prime you can reach the device from anywhere through ssh.comma.ai.
- Older comma two guides mention port 8022; current devices use 22.
- Turning SSH off stops the service at once; no reboot needed.
Prefer a graphical tool?
The community OpenpilotToolkit for Windows and Android wraps SSH with a key wizard, a file browser, and a fork installer. It targets the comma 3X; comma four support is unconfirmed.
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What are the username and port?
User comma, port 22, on both the comma four and the comma 3X. Only keys work; there is no password login.
Which address do I use?
On the device's own hotspot it is always 192.168.43.1. On your home Wi-Fi, read the address in the device's Network settings.
Can I connect from anywhere?
With comma prime, yes. comma runs a jump host at ssh.comma.ai that reaches your device over its own connection. The docs page has the setup.
Why does it say Permission denied?
The device has not got your key. Check the username is your own, re-enter it on Wi-Fi to fetch again, and use the matching private key.
How do I remove access?
Tap Remove next to the username and switch Enable SSH off. That clears the stored keys and stops the SSH service.
Is a phone enough?
Yes. Termius, Blink, or ConnectBot can hold a key and open a terminal. Termius and Blink also browse files.
Sources for this guide
Settings names, the fixed hotspot address, and the key handling come from comma's docs and openpilot 0.11.1 at one checked version, plus the AGNOS server settings. Checked September 11, 2026.
What people do next
Most owners SSH in to install a fork or to pull a drive log.
Photos: comma.ai. CommaGuide is an independent guide and is not affiliated with comma.ai.
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