NewTerm 3 Beta

This is a beta version of NewTerm. If you’re not comfortable using beta software, install NewTerm 2 instead.

Introducing NewTerm 3, a significant rewrite of the popular NewTerm 2 terminal emulator app for iOS.

NewTerm 3 delivers improved performance and more accurate emulation. The user interface has been rebuilt, making it easier to use and more visually appealing. Supporting iOS 14 and newer, NewTerm 3 aims to be the best terminal emulator available for iOS. Whether you’re an advanced user looking to get some work done on the command line of your iOS device, or just want to try out some new commands and scripts, NewTerm 3 has you covered.

One of the key features of NewTerm 3 is its support for iTerm2 Shell Integration. This brings tighter integration between the terminal app and the programs you use. For instance, NewTerm is aware of the current working directory of each terminal, so when you open a new tab, it’ll already be in that same directory. You can also directly upload and download files within an SSH session using the it2ul and it2dl commands. In future, NewTerm 3 will also be able to display full-quality graphics in the terminal, such as through the imgcat and imgls commands.

Another standout feature of NewTerm 3 is its ability to create split-screen panes on iPads. This allows you to run multiple terminal sessions simultaneously, making it easier to multitask and work with multiple command-line tools simultaneously. You can have unlimited panes and resize them to fit whatever task you need.

Performance is a top concern when it comes to terminal emulation. NewTerm 3 is designed to achieve 120 frames-per-second performance on iPhones and iPads with ProMotion, making for a smooth and responsive experience. However, if you’re concerned about battery life, you can tune the performance down to 60, 30, or 15 fps. NewTerm is aware of Low Power Mode, and by default, automatically reduces performance to 15 fps when it’s enabled.

NewTerm 3 also includes a host of other enhancements designed to make it the best terminal app available for iOS. Whether you’re a seasoned command-line user or just getting started, NewTerm 3 has something to offer for everyone.

NewTerm 3 is a work in progress, and is not yet considered stable. While we’ve made every effort to ensure its quality, please be aware that there may still be bugs and unfinished features. If you’re not comfortable using beta software, we recommend using NewTerm 2 until NewTerm 3 is ready for release.

This is only an early preview of what we’ve got planned for NewTerm. Stay tuned for further updates!

Known issues

• On XinaA15, you may see a /var/zprofile:11: parse error near ‘fi’ error. This is because of a typo in a script installed by XinaA15. You can manually fix this by editing line 9 of /var/zprofile to correct thena to then.
• No copy support yet. As a workaround, you can pipe to the pbcopy command. To paste, tap with three fingers to reveal the menu, then tap Paste.
• You may need to open a new terminal or restart the app entirely for some settings to apply.
• The terminal preview in the settings is a bit wonky currently.
• The extra keys above the keyboard may show with an awkward blank space below them.