---
title: "iOS Simulator"
description: "Browser automation CLI for AI agents"
canonical_url: "https://agent-browser.dev/ios"
---

# iOS Simulator

Control real Mobile Safari in the iOS Simulator for authentic mobile web testing. Uses Appium with XCUITest for native automation.

## Requirements

- macOS with Xcode installed
- iOS Simulator runtimes (download via Xcode)
- Appium with XCUITest driver

## Setup

```bash
# Install Appium globally
npm install -g appium

# Install the XCUITest driver for iOS
appium driver install xcuitest
```

## List available devices

See all iOS simulators available on your system:

```bash
agent-browser device list

# Output:
# Available iOS Simulators:
#
#   ○ iPhone 16 Pro (iOS 18.0)
#     F21EEC0D-7618-419F-811B-33AF27A8B2FD
#   ○ iPhone 16 Pro Max (iOS 18.0)
#     50402807-C9B8-4D37-9F13-2E00E782C744
#   ○ iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) (iOS 18.0)
#     3A6C6436-B909-4593-866D-91D1062BB070
#   ...
```

## Basic usage

Use the `-p ios` flag to enable iOS mode. The workflow is identical to desktop:

```bash
# Launch Safari on iPhone 16 Pro
agent-browser -p ios --device "iPhone 16 Pro" open https://example.com

# Get snapshot with refs (same as desktop)
agent-browser -p ios snapshot -i

# Interact using refs
agent-browser -p ios tap @e1
agent-browser -p ios fill @e2 "text"

# Take screenshot
agent-browser -p ios screenshot mobile.png

# Close session (shuts down simulator)
agent-browser -p ios close
```

## Mobile-specific commands

```bash
# Swipe gestures
agent-browser -p ios swipe up
agent-browser -p ios swipe down
agent-browser -p ios swipe left
agent-browser -p ios swipe right

# Swipe with distance (pixels)
agent-browser -p ios swipe up 500

# Tap (alias for click, semantically clearer for touch)
agent-browser -p ios tap @e1
```

## Environment variables

Configure iOS mode via environment variables:

```bash
export AGENT_BROWSER_PROVIDER=ios
export AGENT_BROWSER_IOS_DEVICE="iPhone 16 Pro"

# Now all commands use iOS
agent-browser open https://example.com
agent-browser snapshot -i
agent-browser tap @e1
```

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr><th>Variable</th><th>Description</th></tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr><td><code>AGENT_BROWSER_PROVIDER</code></td><td>Set to <code>ios</code> to enable iOS mode</td></tr>
    <tr><td><code>AGENT_BROWSER_IOS_DEVICE</code></td><td>Device name (e.g., "iPhone 16 Pro")</td></tr>
    <tr><td><code>AGENT_BROWSER_IOS_UDID</code></td><td>Device UDID (alternative to device name)</td></tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

## Supported devices

All iOS Simulators available in Xcode are supported, including:

- All iPhone models (iPhone 15, 16, 17, SE, etc.)
- All iPad models (iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini, etc.)
- Multiple iOS versions (17.x, 18.x, etc.)

**Real devices** are also supported via USB connection (see below).

## Real device support

Appium can control Safari on real iOS devices connected via USB. This requires additional one-time setup.

### 1. Get your device UDID

```bash
# List connected devices
xcrun xctrace list devices

# Or via system profiler
system_profiler SPUSBDataType | grep -A 5 "iPhone\|iPad"
```

### 2. Sign WebDriverAgent (one-time)

WebDriverAgent needs to be signed with your Apple Developer certificate to run on real devices.

```bash
# Open the WebDriverAgent Xcode project
cd ~/.appium/node_modules/appium-xcuitest-driver/node_modules/appium-webdriveragent
open WebDriverAgent.xcodeproj
```

In Xcode:

1. Select the `WebDriverAgentRunner` target
2. Go to Signing & Capabilities
3. Select your Team (requires Apple Developer account, free tier works)
4. Let Xcode manage signing automatically

### 3. Use with agent-browser

```bash
# Connect device via USB, then use the UDID
agent-browser -p ios --device "<DEVICE_UDID>" open https://example.com

# Or use the device name if unique
agent-browser -p ios --device "John's iPhone" open https://example.com
```

### Real device notes

- First run installs WebDriverAgent to the device (may require Trust prompt on device)
- Device must be unlocked and connected via USB
- Slightly slower initial connection than simulator
- Tests against real Safari performance and behavior
- On first install, go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management to trust the developer certificate

## Performance notes

- **First launch:** Takes 30-60 seconds to boot the simulator and start Appium
- **Subsequent commands:** Fast (simulator stays running)
- **Close command:** Shuts down simulator and Appium server

## Differences from desktop

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr><th>Feature</th><th>Desktop</th><th>iOS</th></tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr><td>Browser</td><td>Chrome, Lightpanda</td><td>Safari only</td></tr>
    <tr><td>Tabs</td><td>Supported</td><td>Single tab only</td></tr>
    <tr><td>PDF export</td><td>Supported</td><td>Not supported</td></tr>
    <tr><td>Screencast</td><td>Supported</td><td>Not supported</td></tr>
    <tr><td>Swipe gestures</td><td>Not native</td><td>Native support</td></tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

## Troubleshooting

### Appium not found

```bash
# Make sure Appium is installed globally
npm install -g appium
appium driver install xcuitest

# Verify installation
appium --version
```

### No simulators available

Open Xcode and download iOS Simulator runtimes from **Settings → Platforms**.

### Simulator won't boot

Try booting the simulator manually from Xcode or the Simulator app to ensure it works, then retry with agent-browser.