iOS Simulator MCP Server: Automate Your iOS Testing Workflow

Stop clicking through Xcode's simulator menus. This MCP server puts iOS simulator control directly into Claude, turning your AI assistant into a powerful iOS development companion that can manage device states, install builds, and orchestrate testing scenarios with simple conversation.

Skip the Manual Simulator Dance

You know the routine: open Xcode, navigate to the Device and Simulators window, scroll through dozens of devices, boot the right one, wait for it to load, install your latest build, launch the app, repeat for different device configurations. Now multiply that by every testing scenario, every feature branch, every QA cycle.

This MCP server eliminates that friction entirely. Claude becomes your simulator orchestrator, handling device management while you focus on actual development work.

What You Get

Complete Simulator Control Through Conversation

• Query available simulators and their current states
• Boot and shutdown specific devices programmatically
• Install .app bundles across multiple simulators simultaneously
• Launch apps by bundle ID without hunting through home screens

Real Productivity Gains

• Set up complex testing scenarios in seconds instead of minutes
• Batch operations across multiple device configurations
• Automate repetitive simulator tasks that interrupt your flow
• Create consistent testing environments without manual setup

Perfect For These Workflows

Multi-Device Testing Ask Claude to "boot iPhone 15 Pro, iPad Air, and Apple Watch Series 9 simulators, then install our latest build on each." Instead of manually managing three separate devices, you get instant parallel setup.

Feature Testing Across iOS Versions "Install the app on iOS 17.2 and iOS 16.4 simulators and launch it on both." Compare behavior across OS versions without device juggling.

Automated QA Scenarios "Shut down all running simulators, boot iPhone SE with iOS 15, install build v2.3.1, and launch com.yourapp.bundleid." Perfect for creating clean, reproducible test states.

Development Context Switching "What simulators are currently running? Shut down the iPad simulator and boot iPhone 14 instead." Quick environment changes without breaking your concentration.

Integration is Instant

Add to your Claude config and you're running:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "simulator": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["y", "@joshuarileydev/simulator-mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

No complex setup, no additional tools to learn. Claude immediately understands simulator commands and can execute them as part of natural conversation about your iOS development work.

Why This Matters

iOS development involves constant context switching between code, simulators, and testing scenarios. Every manual simulator interaction pulls you out of flow state. This server keeps you in the zone by handling device management through the same interface you're already using for code review, debugging discussions, and development planning.

The real win isn't just automation—it's maintaining development momentum. When Claude can prep your testing environment while you finish implementing a feature, you're not losing mental context to simulator housekeeping.

Built by @JoshuaRileyDev for developers who want their tools to work as fast as they think.