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
FAQ from iOS Simulator MCP Server
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.
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.
