Apple Simulator

Spec sheet

Support

Code-level support for Apple frameworks, APIs, and tools is available to Apple Developer Program and Enterprise Program members, in English by forums or email.Read 14 Nov 2026 · developer.apple.com

Headquarters

Cupertino, California, USARead 4 Oct 2026 · developer.apple.com

Founded

1976Read 4 Oct 2026 · developer.apple.com

CarPlay

Simulator can show a CarPlay-enabled app in a second window that acts as the vehicle’s primary CarPlay display.Read 14 Nov 2026 · developer.apple.com

CarPlay testing limit

Apple says Simulator should not be the only way to test a CarPlay app and also recommends testing in a vehicle or aftermarket system.Read 14 Nov 2026 · developer.apple.com

Command-line integration

Started simulated devices can be managed from Terminal with simctl, and devicectl can manage physical and simulated devices.Read 14 Nov 2026 · developer.apple.com

Device Hub

Device Hub is used to prototype and test an app on physical devices and simulators, including dynamic resizing and appearance changes.Read 14 Nov 2026 · developer.apple.com

Environment controls

A simulated device can be tested with different accessibility, appearance, location, audio, and orientation settings.Read 14 Nov 2026 · developer.apple.com

Extra runtimes

Simulator runtimes for other devices and operating systems are optional Xcode components that can be installed or removed to recover storage.Read 14 Nov 2026 · developer.apple.com

iPhone Duo

Device Hub can simulate folding an iPhone Duo so an iOS app can be checked on both of its displays.Read 14 Nov 2026 · developer.apple.com

Older simulator limit

Apple’s Xcode requirements note that the iOS 15 and watchOS 8 Simulators are not supported on macOS Sonoma 14.x.Read 14 Nov 2026 · developer.apple.com

Performance limit

Simulators run inside Device Hub on a Mac and do not reproduce the performance or features of a physical device.Read 14 Nov 2026 · developer.apple.com

Safari integration

After Xcode is set up, Safari’s Develop menu can open a page in a Simulator for web development.Read 14 Nov 2026 · developer.apple.com

Screenshots

Device Hub saves screenshots at the simulated or physical device’s full resolution, independent of the Mac display resolution.Read 14 Nov 2026 · developer.apple.com

Simulated platforms

You can launch an app on a simulated iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS, or watchOS device from a Mac.Read 14 Nov 2026 · developer.apple.com

What it is

Apple includes simulators for Apple devices in Xcode, the tool used to develop, test, and distribute apps for Apple platforms.Read 14 Nov 2026 · developer.apple.com

Who it is for

Simulated devices are for debugging an app on hardware the developer may not have access to.Read 14 Nov 2026 · developer.apple.com

Plans and prices

Every Apple Simulator plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

• Sdk#5 of 208.1
• Emulator Software#14 of 398.1
• Game Profiling Software#10 of 258.1