CloseAI
Self-Hosted AI on Your Server
Free
V2: SSH key auth, 5 AI models, full-text search, one-tap upgrades. Run AI on your own server — no subscriptions, no cloud, no data leaks.
CloseAI turns your own Ubuntu server into a private AI assistant you fully control. No subscriptions. No third-party relay. Your conversations never leave your infrastructure.
HOW IT WORKS
Connect CloseAI to any Ubuntu 24.04 VPS over SSH. The app remotely installs the full AI stack — Ollama runtime, a FastAPI backend, and TLS — directly on your server in minutes. After setup, all chat traffic runs encrypted between your iPhone and your server. You own every byte.
SETUP IN MINUTES
Choose how you connect:
• Password setup — enter your SSH credentials, the app installs everything and automatically upgrades you to key-based auth afterward
• Key setup — the app generates an SSH key pair on your device, you paste the public key into your VPS dashboard, done
Both paths run automated preflight checks, let you pick your starting model, and install the full stack remotely. If CloseAI is already installed, the app reconnects automatically.
CHOOSE YOUR MODEL
Five open-source models, install any combination:
• Llama 3.2 (3B) — Fast, versatile, ideal for everyday use
• Phi-4 Mini — Compact reasoning model from Microsoft Research
• Gemma 3 (4B) — Highest quality output from Google DeepMind
• Qwen 2.5 Coder (7B) — Specialized for code generation and debugging
• DeepSeek-R1 (7B) — Chain-of-thought reasoning, strong at math
Switch models from the chat toolbar. The Ollama port is also exposed for direct use with Open WebUI, Continue.dev, and other compatible tools.
SEARCH YOUR CONVERSATIONS
Full-text search across all conversations and messages. Type a keyword and instantly find any message — tap to jump directly to it in context.
BUILT FOR PRIVACY
• SSH key authentication — your private key never leaves your device
• Zero third-party API calls at runtime
• API key and SSH credentials secured in iOS Keychain
• TLS certificate pinned on first connect (TOFU)
• Nothing synced to iCloud or any external service
MANAGE YOUR SERVER FROM YOUR PHONE
• Live server health, Ollama status, and disk usage
• Install or remove AI models on demand
• One-tap full uninstall — removes every CloseAI file from your server
• View the direct Ollama API URL for power-user access
WHAT YOU NEED
• Ubuntu 24.04 server (VPS or dedicated) — 8 GB RAM minimum, 30 GB free disk
• SSH access with sudo privileges
• Outbound internet on the server for the initial model download (~2–3 GB)
CloseAI is for developers, researchers, and privacy-conscious users who want the power of modern AI without sending their conversations to a cloud service.
V2: Major security and usability upgrade.
• SSH key authentication: set up with a password (auto-upgrades to key auth) or paste your public key into your VPS dashboard — no password needed at all
• 5 AI models: added Qwen 2.5 Coder (7B) for programming and DeepSeek-R1 (7B) for chain-of-thought reasoning
• Full-text search: find any message across all your conversations instantly
• Root user support: works seamlessly on VPS images that default to root login
• Faster reconnects: shared connection pool eliminates post-install delays
• Improved stability: fixed state management races and edge cases across the setup flow
The developer, Bardia Barabadi, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
- Seller
- Bardia Barabadi
- Size
- 11.5 MB
- Category
- Productivity
- Compatibility
Requires iOS 26.2 or later.
- iPhone
Requires iOS 26.2 or later. - iPad
Requires iPadOS 26.2 or later.
- iPhone
- Languages
- English
- Age Rating
13+
- 13+
- Copyright
- © Bardia Barabadi 2026