Methods for installing apps on an iOS simulator
Installing apps on an iOS simulator is completely different than on a physical iOS device. On a physical iOS device you install .ipa files. Alternatively, on an iOS simulator you install bundles of .app or compressed bundles (format .zip).
If you want to compress a file of .app, in the Finder window, right-click its icon and select Compress.
Follow these steps to install an app on a virtual simulator
- Start the iOS Simulator from Xcode.
- Verify you have selected the correct device.
- If you already have the App that you plan to install, you can uninstall it. Install the updated release, then proceed.
- If you want to see List of simulators available, type this command in terminal:
- List xcrun simctl
- If you wish to see all the xcrun commands available for simulator, type this command in terminal:
- xcrun simctl
- Identify the UID you want to use for simulator.
- You can copy/place the Device file that was received on your desktop for easy access.
- In the Terminal window, type the following command to install the App:
- xcrun simctl install 1A258AC5-E93B-4D7F-8788-A6E8A49025DD ~/Desktop/KeychainTouchID.app
- After the install command is executed, the App will be installed on the simulator and ready to run.
- Now the Simulator App is installed and you are able to test.
Follow these steps to install an app onto a wired simulator
- Go to Apps > Install Application.
- Choose the app you want to run on your Mac and open it.
- The app appears on the right-hand side of the iOS Gateway window in the list of installed apps.
Note: You cannot install apps that exist on the App Store onto the iOS Simulator.