SSH using Linux or Mac OS

You can use SSH to connect to your Raspberry Pi from a Linux computer or Mac (or from another Raspberry Pi) from the terminal, without installing additional software.

You'll need to know your Pi's IP address to connect to it. To find this, type hostname -I from your Pi's terminal.

Alternatively if you're running the Pi without a screen (headless), you can also look at the device list on your router or use a tool like nmap, which is described in detail in our IP Address document.

To connect to your Pi from a different computer, copy and paste the following command into the terminal window but replace <IP> with the IP address of the Raspberry Pi. Use Ctrl + Shift + V to paste in the terminal.

ssh pi@<IP>

If you receive a connection timed out error it is likely that you've entered the wrong IP address for the Raspberry Pi.

When the connection works you'll see a security/authenticity warning. Type yes to continue. You'll only see this warning the first time you connect.

In the event your Pi has taken the IP address of a device to which your computer has connected before (even if this was on another network), you may be given a warning and asked to clear the record from your list of known devices. Following this instruction and trying the ssh command again should be successful.

Next you'll be prompted for the password for the pi login: on Raspbian the default password is raspberry. You should now be able to see the Raspberry Pi prompt which will be identical to the one found on the Raspberry Pi itself.

If you have set up another user on the Pi, you can connect to it the same way, replacing the username with your own, e.g. eben@192.168.1.5

pi@raspberrypi ~ $

You are now connected to the Pi remotely and can execute commands.
X-forwarding

You can also forward your X session over SSH to allow use of graphical applications by using the -Y flag:

ssh -Y pi@192.168.1.5

Now you're on the command line as before, but you have the ability to open up graphical windows, for example:

idle3 &

This will open up the Python editor IDLE in a graphical window.

scratch &

This will open up Scratch.

For further documentation on the ssh command just enter man ssh into the Terminal.

To configure your Pi to allow passwordless SSH access with a public/private key pair see the passwordless SSH guide.