iOS Simulator MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for interacting with iOS simulators. This server allows you to interact with iOS simulators by getting information about them, controlling UI interactions, and inspecting UI elements.

Security Notice: Command injection vulnerabilities present in versions < 1.3.3 have been fixed. Please update to v1.3.3 or later. See SECURITY.md for details.

ios-simulator-mcp-1.1.0-demo.mov

🌟 Featured In

This project has been featured and mentioned in various publications and resources:

Claude Code Best Practices article - Anthropic's engineering blog showcasing best practices
React Native Newsletter Issue 187 - Featured in the most popular React Native community newsletter
Mobile Automation Newsletter - #56 - Featured a long running newsletter about mobile testing and automation resources
punkeye/awesome-mcp-server listing - Listed in one of the most popular curated awesome MCP servers collection

Tools

Orientation note: ui_describe_all, ui_find_element, ui_describe_point, ui_tap, ui_swipe_wda, ui_swipe_legacy, read_screen, and screenshot all use the current presented Simulator orientation. In landscape, the returned frames, accepted coordinates, and captured images stay aligned with each other.

`get_booted_sim_ids`

Description: Get the UDID, name, and iOS version of all currently booted iOS simulators

Parameters: No Parameters

Returns: A JSON array of booted simulators, each with udid, name, and iosVersion

`open_simulator`

Description: Opens the iOS Simulator application

Parameters: No Parameters

`ui_describe_all`

Description: Describes accessibility information for the entire screen in the iOS Simulator

Parameters:

{
  /**
   * UDID of target simulator
   * Format: UUID (8-4-4-4-12 hexadecimal characters)
   */
  udid: string;
}

`ui_tap`

Description: Tap on the screen in the iOS Simulator

Parameters:

{
  /**
   * Press duration in seconds (decimal numbers allowed)
   */
  duration?: string;
  /**
   * UDID of target simulator
   * Format: UUID (8-4-4-4-12 hexadecimal characters)
   */
  udid: string;
  /** The x-coordinate */
  x: number;
  /** The y-coordinate */
  y: number;
}

`ui_type`

Description: Input text into the iOS Simulator

Parameters:

{
  /**
   * UDID of target simulator
   * Format: UUID (8-4-4-4-12 hexadecimal characters)
   */
  udid: string;
  /**
   * Text to input
   * Format: ASCII printable characters only
   */
  text: string;
}

`ui_swipe_wda`

Description: Swipe on the screen in the iOS Simulator using WebDriverAgent

Parameters:

{
  /**
   * Swipe duration in seconds (decimal numbers allowed, defaults to 1.0)
   */
  duration?: string;
  /**
   * Required if WebDriverAgent must be launched; app bundle identifier to
   * relaunch after WebDriverAgent starts so the tested app returns to the
   * foreground
   */
  restore_app_bundle_id?: string;
  /**
   * UDID of target simulator
   * Format: UUID (8-4-4-4-12 hexadecimal characters)
   */
  udid: string;
  /** The starting x-coordinate */
  x_start: number;
  /** The starting y-coordinate */
  y_start: number;
  /** The ending x-coordinate */
  x_end: number;
  /** The ending y-coordinate */
  y_end: number;
}

`ui_swipe_legacy`

Description: Swipe on the screen in the iOS Simulator using the legacy IDB backend

Parameters:

{
  /**
   * Swipe duration in seconds (decimal numbers allowed, defaults to 1.0)
   */
  duration?: string;
  /**
   * UDID of target simulator
   * Format: UUID (8-4-4-4-12 hexadecimal characters)
   */
  udid: string;
  /** The starting x-coordinate */
  x_start: number;
  /** The starting y-coordinate */
  y_start: number;
  /** The ending x-coordinate */
  x_end: number;
  /** The ending y-coordinate */
  y_end: number;
  /**
   * Optional advanced legacy IDB step size in pixels between touch points.
   * Most callers should omit this.
   */
  delta?: number;
}

`ui_describe_point`

Description: Returns the accessibility element at given co-ordinates on the iOS Simulator's screen

Parameters:

{
  /**
   * UDID of target simulator
   * Format: UUID (8-4-4-4-12 hexadecimal characters)
   */
  udid: string;
  /** The x-coordinate */
  x: number;
  /** The y-coordinate */
  y: number;
}

`ui_find_element`

Description: Searches the accessibility tree and returns elements matching the given criteria

Parameters:

{
  /** Array of search strings. An element matches if ANY string matches against its AXLabel or AXUniqueId */
  search: string[];
  /** Filter by element type (e.g. 'Button', 'StaticText', 'Group'). Case-insensitive exact match */
  type?: string;
  /** Match mode: 'substring' (default) or 'exact' */
  matchMode?: "substring" | "exact";
  /** Whether search matching is case-sensitive (default: false) */
  caseSensitive?: boolean;
  /**
   * UDID of target simulator
   * Format: UUID (8-4-4-4-12 hexadecimal characters)
   */
  udid: string;
}

`read_screen`

Description: Return the current simulator screen as an image for visual inspection. Use this when you need to understand or inspect what is currently on screen. If you need to save an image file to disk, use screenshot instead.

Parameters:

{
  /**
   * UDID of target simulator
   * Format: UUID (8-4-4-4-12 hexadecimal characters)
   */
  udid: string;
}

`screenshot`

Description: Save the current simulator screen to an image file on disk. Use this only when you need a persistent file or artifact. If you need to inspect the current screen, use read_screen instead.

Parameters:

{
  /**
   * UDID of target simulator
   * Format: UUID (8-4-4-4-12 hexadecimal characters)
   */
  udid: string;
  /** File path where the screenshot will be saved. If relative, it uses the directory specified by the `IOS_SIMULATOR_MCP_DEFAULT_OUTPUT_DIR` env var, or `~/Downloads` if not set. */
  output_path: string;
  /** Image format (png, tiff, bmp, gif, or jpeg). Default is png. */
  type?: "png" | "tiff" | "bmp" | "gif" | "jpeg";
  /** Display to capture (internal or external). Default depends on device type. */
  display?: "internal" | "external";
  /** For non-rectangular displays, handle the mask by policy (ignored, alpha, or black) */
  mask?: "ignored" | "alpha" | "black";
}

`record_video`

Description: Records a video of the iOS Simulator using simctl directly

Parameters:

{
  /**
   * UDID of target simulator
   * Format: UUID (8-4-4-4-12 hexadecimal characters)
   */
  udid: string;
  /** Optional output path. If not provided, a default name will be used. The file will be saved in the directory specified by `IOS_SIMULATOR_MCP_DEFAULT_OUTPUT_DIR` or in `~/Downloads` if the environment variable is not set. */
  output_path?: string;
  /** Specifies the codec type: "h264" or "hevc". Default is "hevc". */
  codec?: "h264" | "hevc";
  /** Display to capture: "internal" or "external". Default depends on device type. */
  display?: "internal" | "external";
  /** For non-rectangular displays, handle the mask by policy: "ignored", "alpha", or "black". */
  mask?: "ignored" | "alpha" | "black";
  /** Force the output file to be written to, even if the file already exists. */
  force?: boolean;
}

`stop_recording`

Description: Stops a tracked simulator video recording for the targeted iOS Simulator

Parameters:

{
  /**
   * UDID of target simulator
   * Format: UUID (8-4-4-4-12 hexadecimal characters)
   */
  udid: string;
  /** Bake the saved video into the simulator's displayed orientation before returning. Defaults to true. Falls back to a slower built-in macOS exporter when ffmpeg is unavailable. */
  fix_rotation?: boolean;
  /** Scale factor for the saved video. `0.5` means 50% of the original width and height. Defaults to `0.5`. */
  scale?: number;
  /** Output codec for the saved video. Defaults to `hevc` (H.265 compression); the built-in macOS fallback exporter may use H.264 on Macs without HEVC export support. */
  output_codec?: "h264" | "hevc";
}

`install_app`

Description: Installs an app bundle (.app or .ipa) on the iOS Simulator

Parameters:

{
  /**
   * UDID of target simulator
   * Format: UUID (8-4-4-4-12 hexadecimal characters)
   */
  udid: string;
  /** Path to the app bundle (.app directory or .ipa file) to install */
  app_path: string;
}

`launch_app`

Description: Launches an app on the iOS Simulator by bundle identifier

Parameters:

{
  /**
   * UDID of target simulator
   * Format: UUID (8-4-4-4-12 hexadecimal characters)
   */
  udid: string;
  /** Bundle identifier of the app to launch (e.g., com.apple.mobilesafari) */
  bundle_id: string;
  /** Terminate the app if it is already running before launching */
  terminate_running?: boolean;
}

💡 Use Case: QA Step via MCP Tool Calls

This MCP server allows AI assistants integrated with a Model Context Protocol (MCP) client to perform Quality Assurance tasks by making tool calls. This is useful immediately after implementing features to help ensure UI consistency and correct behavior.

How to Use

After a feature implementation, instruct your AI assistant within its MCP client environment to use the available tools. First call get_booted_sim_ids, choose the simulator you want to test from the returned name and iosVersion, and pass that udid to every simulator-targeted tool call. For example, in Cursor's agent mode, you could use the prompts below to quickly validate and document UI interactions.

Example Prompts

Verify UI Elements:

Call `get_booted_sim_ids`, choose the simulator I want to test, then call `ui_describe_all` with that `udid` to verify all accessibility elements on its screen

Confirm Text Input:

Call `get_booted_sim_ids`, choose a simulator `udid`, then use `ui_type` with that `udid` to enter "QA Test" into the text input field and confirm the input is correct

Check Tap Response:

Call `get_booted_sim_ids`, choose a simulator `udid`, then use `ui_tap` with that `udid` to tap on coordinates x=250, y=400 and verify the expected element is triggered

Validate Swipe Action:

Call `get_booted_sim_ids`, choose a simulator `udid`, then use `ui_swipe_wda` with that `udid` to swipe from x=150, y=600 to x=150, y=100 and confirm correct behavior

Detailed Element Check:

Call `get_booted_sim_ids`, choose a simulator `udid`, then use `ui_describe_point` with that `udid` to describe the UI element at position x=300, y=350

Show Your AI Agent the Simulator Screen:

Call `get_booted_sim_ids`, choose a simulator `udid`, then use `read_screen` with that `udid` to view the simulator screen

Take Screenshot:

Call `get_booted_sim_ids`, choose a simulator `udid`, then use `screenshot` with that `udid` to save a screenshot to my_screenshot.png

Record Video:

Call `get_booted_sim_ids`, choose a simulator `udid`, then use `record_video` with that `udid` to start recording (saves to the default output directory, which is `~/Downloads` unless overridden by `IOS_SIMULATOR_MCP_DEFAULT_OUTPUT_DIR`)

Stop Recording:

Call `get_booted_sim_ids`, choose the same simulator `udid` used for recording, then use `stop_recording` with that `udid` (by default it scales the saved video to 50%, targets HEVC/H.265 output, and bakes the video into the simulator's displayed orientation when needed; the built-in macOS fallback exporter may use H.264 on Macs without HEVC export support)

Install App:

Call `get_booted_sim_ids`, choose a simulator `udid`, then use `install_app` with that `udid` to install the app at path/to/MyApp.app

Launch App:

Call `get_booted_sim_ids`, choose a simulator `udid`, then use `launch_app` with that `udid` to launch Safari (com.apple.mobilesafari)

Prerequisites

Node.js
macOS (as iOS simulators are only available on macOS)
Xcode and iOS simulators installed
Facebook IDB tool (see install guide)

Installation

This section provides instructions for integrating the iOS Simulator MCP server with different Model Context Protocol (MCP) clients.

Installation with Cursor

Cursor manages MCP servers through its configuration file located at ~/.cursor/mcp.json.

Option 1: Using NPX (Recommended)

Edit your Cursor MCP configuration file. You can often open it directly from Cursor or use a command like:

# Open with your default editor (or use 'code', 'vim', etc.)
open ~/.cursor/mcp.json
# Or use Cursor's command if available
# cursor ~/.cursor/mcp.json

Add or update the mcpServers section with the iOS simulator server configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    // ... other servers might be listed here ...
    "ios-simulator": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ios-simulator-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Ensure the JSON structure is valid, especially if mcpServers already exists.

Restart Cursor for the changes to take effect.

Option 2: Local Development

Clone this repository:

git clone https://github.com/joshuayoes/ios-simulator-mcp
cd ios-simulator-mcp

Install dependencies:
```
npm install
```
Build the project:
```
npm run build
```
Edit your Cursor MCP configuration file (as shown in Option 1).

Add or update the mcpServers section, pointing to your local build:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    // ... other servers might be listed here ...
    "ios-simulator": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/full/path/to/your/ios-simulator-mcp/build/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

Important: Replace /full/path/to/your/ with the absolute path to where you cloned the ios-simulator-mcp repository.

Restart Cursor for the changes to take effect.

Installation with Claude Code

Claude Code CLI can manage MCP servers using the claude mcp commands or by editing its configuration files directly. For more details on Claude Code MCP configuration, refer to the official documentation.

Option 1: Using NPX (Recommended)

Add the server using the claude mcp add command:

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

Restart any running Claude Code sessions if necessary.

Option 2: Local Development

Clone this repository, install dependencies, and build the project as described in the Cursor "Local Development" steps 1-3.
Add the server using the claude mcp add command, pointing to your local build:
```
claude mcp add ios-simulator -- node "/full/path/to/your/ios-simulator-mcp/build/index.js"
```
Important: Replace /full/path/to/your/ with the absolute path to where you cloned the ios-simulator-mcp repository.
Restart any running Claude Code sessions if necessary.

Configuration

Environment Variables

Variable	Description	Example
`IOS_SIMULATOR_MCP_FILTERED_TOOLS`	A comma-separated list of tool names to filter out from being registered.	`screenshot,record_video,stop_recording`
`IOS_SIMULATOR_MCP_DEFAULT_OUTPUT_DIR`	Specifies a default directory for output files like screenshots and video recordings. If not set, `~/Downloads` will be used. This can be handy if your agent has limited access to the file system.	`~/Code/awesome-project/tmp`
`IOS_SIMULATOR_MCP_IDB_PATH`	Specifies a custom path to the IDB executable. If not set, `idb` will be used (assuming it's in your PATH). Useful if IDB is installed in a non-standard location.	`~/bin/idb` or `/usr/local/bin/idb`

Configuration Example

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ios-simulator": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ios-simulator-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "IOS_SIMULATOR_MCP_FILTERED_TOOLS": "screenshot,record_video,stop_recording",
        "IOS_SIMULATOR_MCP_DEFAULT_OUTPUT_DIR": "~/Code/awesome-project/tmp",
        "IOS_SIMULATOR_MCP_IDB_PATH": "~/bin/idb"
      }
    }
  }
}

MCP Registry Server Listings

License

MIT

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iOS Simulator MCP Server

🌟 Featured In

Tools

`get_booted_sim_ids`

`open_simulator`

`ui_describe_all`

`ui_tap`

`ui_type`

`ui_swipe_wda`

`ui_swipe_legacy`

`ui_describe_point`

`ui_find_element`

`read_screen`

`screenshot`

`record_video`

`stop_recording`

`install_app`

`launch_app`

💡 Use Case: QA Step via MCP Tool Calls

How to Use

Example Prompts

Prerequisites

Installation

Installation with Cursor

Option 1: Using NPX (Recommended)

Option 2: Local Development

Installation with Claude Code

Option 1: Using NPX (Recommended)

Option 2: Local Development

Configuration

Environment Variables

Configuration Example

MCP Registry Server Listings

License

FilesExpand file tree

README.md

Latest commit

History

README.md

File metadata and controls

iOS Simulator MCP Server

🌟 Featured In

Tools

get_booted_sim_ids

open_simulator

ui_describe_all

ui_tap

ui_type

ui_swipe_wda

ui_swipe_legacy

ui_describe_point

ui_find_element

read_screen

screenshot

record_video

stop_recording

install_app

launch_app

💡 Use Case: QA Step via MCP Tool Calls

How to Use

Example Prompts

Prerequisites

Installation

Installation with Cursor

Option 1: Using NPX (Recommended)

Option 2: Local Development

Installation with Claude Code

Option 1: Using NPX (Recommended)

Option 2: Local Development

Configuration

Environment Variables

Configuration Example

MCP Registry Server Listings

License

`get_booted_sim_ids`

`open_simulator`

`ui_describe_all`

`ui_tap`

`ui_type`

`ui_swipe_wda`

`ui_swipe_legacy`

`ui_describe_point`

`ui_find_element`

`read_screen`

`screenshot`

`record_video`

`stop_recording`

`install_app`

`launch_app`