Apple Simulator

Free plan Mac

What Apple Simulator is

Apple Simulator is a free macOS tool for running simulated Apple devices while developing for iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. It includes hardware acceleration and lets developers save simulator snapshots and restore them later. Debugging tools help inspect app behavior, while network simulation supports exercising apps under simulated network conditions. Automation access is also available for incorporating simulator tasks into automated workflows. The host operating system is macOS, and the listed platform is macOS, so it is intended for work on a Mac. Its targets span Apple phone, tablet, TV, spatial-computing, and watch operating systems. Apple Simulator is available through Apple’s developer website and has a free plan. For developers working across those Apple targets, its combination of simulated devices, saved states, debugging tools, network simulation, and automation covers several parts of app development without a plan charge.

Who it suits

It suits developers building for iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS, or watchOS who work on macOS.

What it does well

Supports five Apple operating-system targets
Includes hardware acceleration
Snapshots can be restored
Provides debugging, network simulation, and automation access

What to know first

Requires macOS as the host operating system
Listed platform support is macOS

Getting started

Visit https://developer.apple.com/.
Use a Mac running macOS to access Apple Simulator.
Select a simulation target: iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS, or watchOS.
Use snapshots, debugging, network simulation, or automation as needed.

Verdict

Apple Simulator brings device simulation, debugging, network simulation, snapshots, and automation access to Mac-based development. It is free, but the listed host platform is limited to macOS.

Questions

Is Apple Simulator free?

Yes. It is listed as free and has a free plan.

Which platforms can Apple Simulator target?

It supports iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS.

Which host operating system does it require?

Its host operating system is macOS.

Does Apple Simulator support snapshots and restore?

Yes. It supports snapshots and restore.

Does it include debugging and network simulation?

Yes. Both debugging tools and network simulation are supported.

Who makes Apple Simulator?

It is an Apple tool; Apple is headquartered in Cupertino, California, USA.

Facts from Apple Simulator's own pages

Founded: 1976 · developer.apple.com, 4 Oct 2026
Headquarters: Cupertino, California, USA · developer.apple.com, 4 Oct 2026