---
title: "Enable SSH"
description: "How to turn on SSH on your Volumio device to reach its command line from a computer, and how to turn it off."
url: https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/196-enable-ssh
collection: "Getting started"
updated: 2026-11-13
language: en
---

# Enable SSH

How to turn on SSH on your Volumio device to reach its command line from a computer, and how to turn it off.

SSH lets you control your device from a computer's terminal. It's off by default, and you only need it for advanced tasks, or if our support team asks you to turn it on.

> **Warning:** Changing system files over SSH can stop your device from starting or updating. Only run commands you know.

## Turn on SSH

1.  On a computer on the same network as your device, open a web browser.
    
2.  Type your device's name followed by `.local/dev`, for example `http://motivo.local/dev`. If it doesn't work, use the device's IP address instead, for example `http://192.168.1.20/dev`. To find both, see [Volumio in a browser](https://help.volumio.com/articles/174-volumio-in-a-browser).
    
3.  Under `SSH`, press `ENABLE`.
    

The page doesn't show any message, but SSH is on right away, and stays on even after a restart.

To turn it off, press `DISABLE` on the same page.

## Connect to your device

1.  On your computer, open the terminal:
    
    -   On Mac: `Terminal`.
        
    -   On Windows: `Command Prompt` or `PowerShell`.
        
    -   On Linux: any terminal.
        
2.  Type `ssh volumio@` followed by your device's IP address, for example `ssh volumio@192.168.1.20`, and press Enter.
    
3.  Type the password `volumio` and press Enter. The password doesn't show while you type.
    

## Turn on SSH before the first start (DIY)

If you install Volumio on a Raspberry Pi and can't open the device in a browser, you can turn on SSH from the SD card:

1.  Put the SD card with Volumio into your computer.
    
2.  In the `boot` partition, create an empty file called `ssh`, with no extension.
    
3.  Put the SD card back into the Raspberry Pi and turn it on.

## Related

- [Nova and Volumio 4](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/172-nova-and-volumio-4.md)
- [Volumio app](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/173-volumio-app.md)
- [Volumio in a browser](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/174-volumio-in-a-browser.md)
- [Inputs and outputs](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/175-inputs-and-outputs.md)
- [Power and standby](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/176-power-and-standby.md)