Interacting with your app in the iOS and iPadOS simulator
Use your Mac to control interactions with your iOS and iPadOS apps in Simulator.
Overview
Simulator offers an environment to run apps in iOS or iPadOS without installing them on a physical device. When running your app in Simulator, use your Mac to navigate the app’s interface.
Interact with your interface
Use your Mac’s pointer, keyboard, and menu items to make gestures on a simulated iOS or iPadOS device.
Gesture | To simulate |
|---|---|
Tap | Click. |
Double-tap | Double-click. |
Touch and hold | Click and hold. |
3D Touch | On a Mac with a Force Touch trackpad, choose I/O > Touch Pressure > Use Trackpad Force. Then, click with the desired pressure. |
Two-finger gestures | Press Option to display touch points. Move the pointer while pressing the Option key to change the distance between the touch points. Move the pointer and hold the Shift and Option keys to reposition the touch points. |
Two-finger drag | Click and drag while pressing the Shift and Option keys. |
Two-finger pinch, zoom, or rotate | Click and drag while pressing the Option key. |
Drag and drop | Click and hold until the drag item appears, then drag the item to the target. |
Two-finger drag and drop | Click and hold until the drag item appears. Hold the Control key and release the mouse to lock the first finger on the drag item, then navigate to the drop target with the pointer. Click on the drag item and move it to the target. |
Rotate the simulated device to the right | Choose Device > Rotate Right. |
Rotate the simulated device to the left | Choose Device > Rotate Left. |
Set the orientation of the device | Choose an orientation from the Device > Orientation submenu. Face Up and Face Down do not rotate the simulator window |
Rotate the device automatically when your app requires a particular orientation | Choose Device > Rotate Device Automatically. A checkmark indicates that automatic device rotation is on. |
Shake | Choose Device > Shake Gesture. |
Activate Siri | Choose Device > Siri, or hold the Home button on the device bezel. |
Interact with hardware controls
Activate device buttons using menu items or by clicking on parts of the simulator bezel.
Button | To simulate |
|---|---|
Click the Home button | Choose Device > Home, or click the Home button on the device bezel or toolbar. |
Click the Sleep/Wake button | Choose Device > Lock, or click the Sleep/Wake button on the device bezel. |
Click or hold Volume up | Click or hold the Volume Up button on the device bezel. |
Click or hold Volume down | Click or hold the Volume Down button on the device bezel. |
Toggle the Ring/Silent switch | Click the Ring/Silent switch on the device bezel. |