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iOS Simulator MCP Server

MCP server for controlling iOS simulators from AI agents, including simulator discovery, UI taps, typing, swipes, accessibility inspection, screenshots, video recording, app install, and app launch.

by Joshua Yoes·added 2026-06-05·
Claude CodeClaude Desktop
HarnessClaude CodeClaude Desktop
Review first — review before installing

Open the source and read safety notes before installing.

Safety notes

  • Use version 1.3.3 or newer. The upstream security policy documents command-injection vulnerabilities in older versions and states that they were fixed in v1.3.3.
  • The server invokes simulator, IDB, and host commands to tap, type, swipe, screenshot, record video, install apps, launch apps, and stop recordings.
  • Filter high-risk or noisy tools with `IOS_SIMULATOR_MCP_FILTERED_TOOLS` when an agent should only inspect UI state.
  • App install and launch tools can execute simulator app code, change simulator state, and interact with test credentials or local development services.
  • Screenshots and recordings can overwrite or create files in configured output directories; review paths before letting an agent write artifacts.

Privacy notes

  • Tool results may expose app screens, accessibility labels, text fields, screenshots, videos, bundle identifiers, simulator UDIDs, file paths, output directories, app paths, and environment variables.
  • Simulator apps may contain test accounts, customer fixtures, tokens, unreleased UI, internal URLs, logs, or private feature flags.
  • MCP transcripts, client logs, screenshots, videos, and saved artifacts can retain sensitive UI and app-state data outside the simulator.
  • Do not share recordings, screenshots, simulator data, app bundles, UDIDs, or output directories from proprietary apps unless the team has approved that disclosure.

Prerequisites

  • macOS with Xcode and iOS simulators installed.
  • Node.js and npx available for running the npm package.
  • Facebook IDB installed and available on PATH, or configured through `IOS_SIMULATOR_MCP_IDB_PATH`.
  • A booted simulator, or permission for the agent to open and interact with Simulator.
  • Team agreement on which simulator actions, screenshots, recordings, app bundles, and output directories are allowed.

Schema details

Install type
cli
Troubleshooting
No
Source repository stats
Scope
Source repo
Collection metadata
Estimated setup
20 minutes
Difficulty
intermediate
Full copyable content
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ios-simulator": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ios-simulator-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

About this resource

Content

iOS Simulator MCP Server gives MCP clients a tool surface for inspecting and controlling iOS simulators on macOS. It can find the booted simulator, open Simulator, describe accessibility elements, tap, type, swipe, inspect a point, view the current screen, take screenshots, record or stop videos, install apps, and launch bundles.

The server is most useful for mobile development and QA loops where an agent needs to verify a UI after code changes. It can inspect accessibility labels and visual state, perform common interactions, and capture screenshots or videos for review.

Source Review

These sources were reviewed on 2026-06-05. Prefer the live repository, README, security policy, troubleshooting notes, QA notes, package metadata, source file, license, and npm registry metadata for current tool behavior, security status, package version, and setup requirements.

Features

  • Get the currently booted iOS simulator ID.
  • Open the Simulator app.
  • Describe all visible accessibility elements.
  • Tap, type, and swipe in the simulator.
  • Find UI elements by accessibility label, unique ID, or element type.
  • Inspect the accessibility element at a screen coordinate.
  • View the current simulator screen.
  • Capture screenshots and simulator video recordings.
  • Stop an active simulator recording.
  • Install .app or .ipa bundles on the simulator.
  • Launch apps by bundle identifier with optional environment variables.
  • Filter tools and configure output directories through environment variables.

Installation

Install Xcode simulators, Node.js, and IDB first. Then add the server to Claude Code:

claude mcp add ios-simulator -- npx -y ios-simulator-mcp

For JSON-based MCP clients, use:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ios-simulator": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ios-simulator-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Use IOS_SIMULATOR_MCP_FILTERED_TOOLS to remove actions that should not be available in a particular workflow, such as screenshots, video recording, or app installation.

Use Cases

  • Ask Claude to verify an iOS screen after implementing a feature.
  • Inspect accessibility labels and element types for UI quality checks.
  • Tap through a flow and confirm expected screen changes.
  • Type test input into forms in a booted simulator.
  • Capture screenshots or recordings for bug reports and review artifacts.
  • Install and launch a local app bundle during development.
  • Restrict a QA workflow to read-only screen inspection by filtering action tools.

Safety and Privacy

Use the current package version and avoid unsupported versions below 1.3.3. The upstream security policy documents older command-injection issues and the fixed version threshold.

Simulator automation can expose sensitive UI and mutate app state. Limit tool availability for each task, keep output directories scoped, and avoid recording or screenshotting proprietary screens without approval. Treat accessibility trees, screenshots, videos, app paths, simulator IDs, and MCP transcripts as potentially sensitive test data.

Duplicate Check

No joshuayoes/ios-simulator-mcp entry, iOS Simulator MCP entry, or matching source URL was found in content/mcp.

#ios#simulator#mobile#qa#automation

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