iOS Simulator automation MCP server
npm install ios-control-mcp
!macOS 13+
An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for automating iOS simulators and real iOS devices. Enables LLMs like Claude to interact with iOS devices.
https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/4284357b-6b6e-4e6a-a81c-e5976052be51
Get started in 30 seconds:
1. Add to your MCP client config:
``json`
{
"mcpServers": {
"ios-control": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "ios-control-mcp"]
}
}
}
2. Ask Claude: "Take a screenshot of the iOS simulator"
That's it! Claude can now control iOS simulators. See Installation for detailed setup instructions.
- list_devices - List connected iOS devices (simulators and physical devices)
- select_device - Select device to control by UDID
- get_ui_snapshot - Get UI element tree of all foreground apps
- screenshot - Take a screenshot of the current screen
- tap - Tap a UI element by its label
- type_text - Type text (optionally into a specific element)
- swipe - Swipe in a direction
- drag - Drag from one element to another by their labels
- launch_app - Launch an app by its bundle ID
- press_button - Press a hardware button (home, volumeUp, volumeDown)
- macOS 13 or later
- Xcode (with iOS Simulator)
- Node.js 18 or later
- For physical devices: Apple Developer Team ID (free or paid)
Simulators work out of the box without additional setup.
Standard config - Works with most MCP clients:
`json`
{
"mcpServers": {
"ios-control": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"ios-control-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Claude Code
`bash`
claude mcp add ios-control -- npx -y ios-control-mcp
For physical devices, add the Team ID environment variable:
`bash`
claude mcp add ios-control -e IOS_CONTROL_TEAM_ID=YOUR_TEAM_ID -- npx -y ios-control-mcp
Claude Desktop
Follow the MCP installation guide using the standard config above.
Cursor
Go to Cursor Settings → MCP → Add new MCP Server. Set a name and enter npx -y ios-control-mcp as the command type.
VS Code
Install via VS Code CLI:
`bash`
code --add-mcp '{"name":"ios-control","command":"npx","args":["-y","ios-control-mcp"]}'
Or follow the MCP installation guide using the standard config above.
Windsurf
Follow the Windsurf MCP documentation using the standard config above.
Using physical iOS devices requires an Apple Developer Team ID. A free Apple ID works too.
#### 1. Find Your Team ID
Run this command in Terminal to find your Team ID:
`bash`
security find-identity -v -p codesigning
Example output:
`
1) ABCDEF1234567890... "Apple Development: your@email.com (XXXXXXXXXX)"
The 10-character string in parentheses (e.g., XXXXXXXXXX) is your Team ID.
> Don't have a Team ID? Open any project in Xcode, sign in with your Apple ID, and build to a device once. This will automatically generate a Team ID.
#### 2. Add Team ID to MCP Configuration
`json``
{
"mcpServers": {
"ios-control": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "ios-control-mcp"],
"env": {
"IOS_CONTROL_TEAM_ID": "YOUR_TEAM_ID"
}
}
}
}
#### 3. Prepare Your Device
1. Enable Developer Mode: Settings → Privacy & Security → Developer Mode → Enable (iOS 16+)
2. Connect via USB: Connect your device to Mac via USB and tap "Trust" when prompted
3. First run: After the app is installed, if you see "Untrusted Developer" warning, go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management and trust the developer app
Here are some things you can ask Claude:
Screenshots & UI inspection:
> "Take a screenshot of the current screen"
> "Show me the UI snapshot"
App navigation:
> "Open the Settings app"
> "Launch Safari"
UI interactions:
> "Tap the 'Sign In' button"
> "Type 'hello@example.com' in the email field"
> "Swipe up"
MIT