What are the prerequisites to run this server?
You need Node.js, macOS (iOS simulators are macOS-only), Xcode with iOS simulators installed, and Facebook’s IDB tool.
iOS Simulator MCP Server
@joshuayoes
Basic information
About iOS Simulator MCP Server
MCP server for interacting with the iOS simulator
iOS Simulator MCP Server config
Add this server to your MCP-compatible client using the configuration below.
{
"mcpServers": {
"ios-simulator": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"ios-simulator-mcp"
]
}
}
}iOS Simulator MCP Server tools
17Get the ID of the currently booted iOS simulator
Opens the iOS Simulator application
Describes accessibility information for the entire screen in the iOS Simulator
Tap on the screen in the iOS Simulator
Input text into the iOS Simulator
Swipe on the screen in the iOS Simulator
Returns the accessibility element at given co-ordinates on the iOS Simulator's screen
Searches the accessibility tree and returns elements matching the given criteria
Get the image content of a compressed screenshot of the current simulator view
Takes a screenshot of the iOS Simulator
Records a video of the iOS Simulator using simctl directly
Stops the simulator video recording using killall
Installs an app bundle (.app or .ipa) on the iOS Simulator
Launches an app on the iOS Simulator by bundle identifier
Terminates a running app on the iOS Simulator by bundle identifier
Opens a URL in the iOS Simulator, useful for testing deep links and universal links
Lists all installed apps on the iOS Simulator with their bundle identifiers and display names
Overview
What is iOS Simulator MCP Server?
A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for interacting with iOS simulators. It allows AI assistants to get information about simulators, control UI interactions, and inspect UI elements, enabling automated quality assurance tasks.
How to use iOS Simulator MCP Server?
Install via npx -y ios-simulator-mcp and configure in your MCP client (e.g., Cursor’s ~/.cursor/mcp.json). Prerequisites: Node.js, macOS, Xcode, iOS simulators, and Facebook IDB. Then instruct your AI assistant to call tools like ui_tap, screenshot, or launch_app to interact with the simulator.
Key features of iOS Simulator MCP Server
- Retrieve booted simulator ID and open the Simulator app
- Describe entire screen or specific point accessibility elements
- Perform taps, text input, swipes, and find UI elements
- Take screenshots and record videos with configurable codecs
- Install and launch apps on the simulator
- Stop video recordings
Use cases of iOS Simulator MCP Server
- AI-assisted UI verification after feature implementation
- Automated tap and input testing on iOS simulators
- Taking screenshots or recording video for documentation
- Installing and launching app bundles for integration testing
- Inspecting accessibility elements to ensure proper labeling
Frequently asked questions
How do I install the server?
Run `npx -y ios-simulator-mcp` or build from source. For Cursor, add a configuration entry in `~/.cursor/mcp.json`.
How can I target a specific simulator?
Use the optional `udid` parameter in tool calls, or set the `IDB_UDID` environment variable. UDID must be a UUID in 8-4-4-4-12 format.
Where are screenshots and videos saved?
By default to `~/Downloads`. You can change the directory by setting the `IOS_SIMULATOR_MCP_DEFAULT_OUTPUT_DIR` environment variable.
Is there a security notice I should be aware of?
Versions before 1.3.3 had command injection vulnerabilities. Update to v1.3.3 or later.
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