Running the iPhone Simulator Without Launching Xcode: A Practical Guide

28 February 2025 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Xcode

Running the iPhone Simulator independently of Xcode can streamline your development workflow, especially if you frequently test on different iOS devices. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just getting started, this guide will walk you through how to launch the iPhone Simulator directly from your command line or dock, bypassing the need to open Xcode.

Launching the Simulator from the Command Line

If you have Xcode installed, you can start the iPhone Simulator directly from the command line using the following command:

$ open /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Applications/Simulator.app

Creating a Command Line Alias

For quick access, consider creating an alias in your ~/.bash_profile or ~/.zshrc file:

$ alias simulator='open /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Applications/Simulator.app'

After saving the changes, you can launch the Simulator by simply typing:

$ simulator

Adding the Simulator to Your Dock

Another convenient method is to add the Simulator directly to your dock:

1. Launch Xcode and open the Simulator from the menu: Xcode > Open Developer Tool > Simulator.
2. Once the Simulator is running, right-click its icon in the dock and select Options > Keep in Dock.
3. In the future, simply click the dock icon to launch the Simulator.

Using Spotlight for Quick Access

For those who prefer using Spotlight, you can start the Simulator by pressing Cmd + Space, typing “Simulator”, and hitting Return. If the Simulator does not appear in Spotlight, create an alias as described above to ensure it is indexed correctly.

Streamlining Your Development Process with Repeato

While launching the iPhone Simulator without Xcode is a great time-saver, automating your testing process can further enhance your efficiency. This is where Repeato comes in. Repeato is a no-code test automation tool designed to simplify the creation and maintenance of automated tests for iOS, Android, and web apps.

With Repeato’s intuitive test recorder and editing features, you can quickly set up tests without the need for extensive programming knowledge. It supports data-driven and keyword-driven testing, making it adaptable to various testing scenarios. Additionally, Repeato’s use of computer vision and AI ensures reliable and fast test execution.

By integrating Repeato into your workflow, you can automate complex tasks and improve the overall quality of your apps without the overhead of managing extensive scripts or dealing with the limitations of other tools like Katalon Studio.

For more information on how Repeato can benefit your development process, visit our documentation page or contact us for support.

Check it out!

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