What it does
Textastic for iOS is a mobile code editor for iPhone and iPad. It highlights more than 80 programming and markup file types, supports custom TextMate- and Sublime Text-compatible syntax definitions, and offers completion for selected web languages. Files can be edited locally or transferred through FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, Dropbox, and other documented integrations; a built-in SSH terminal can run commands on a server. The editor also includes web and Markdown previews, making it useful for reviewing or updating a project away from a desktop workstation.
A mobile editing and transfer workflow
Textastic works with local files, iCloud, and external folders. For a small web change, open the HTML, CSS, or JavaScript file, use syntax highlighting and the additional keyboard row to edit it, then preview the page or Markdown document. The manual documents search, multiple open files, custom syntax definitions, and completion for selected languages such as HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.
When the project lives on a server, configure an FTP, FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV, Dropbox, or Google Drive connection and transfer the files through the editor. The SSH terminal can run commands on that server, while the built-in WebDAV server is another way to move files between the device and a computer. These are editing and file-management capabilities; the official pages reviewed do not establish a complete desktop-style build or debugging toolchain.
Textastic's product page and manual cover the iPhone and iPad edition. The publisher also links a separate Mac app, which is not the edition described here. The current purchase price was not established from the product and manual pages opened.
Strengths
- Syntax highlighting covers more than 80 programming and markup file types, with support for custom compatible syntax definitions.
- Remote file transfer supports FTP, FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV, Dropbox, and Google Drive.
- The editor includes web and Markdown previews, regular-expression search, and a built-in SSH terminal.
- The manual documents iPhone and iPad support and external keyboard features.
Watch out for
- Code completion is documented for selected languages rather than all of the file types with syntax highlighting.
Best for
- Making or reviewing source and web-file edits from an iPhone or iPad
- Maintaining project files on a server using SFTP, FTP, WebDAV, or cloud-drive connections
- Developers who need a mobile editor with SSH access and Markdown or web previews
Sources
- Textastic – Text and Code Editor for iPad and iPhone (Oct 25, 2026)
- Textastic for iOS Manual — Textastic 10.9.5 documentation (Oct 25, 2026)