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iOS

Posted by A X
A X
12,842 Points

Is there an iPhone/Apple Product Emulator that's free to download?

Hi all, For testing apps in many various Android devices there's Android Studio and Genymotion, but I don't see an applicable emulator for Apple Products, in specific the iPhone. Does anyone have any suggestions for a free/low cost Apple emulator?

2 Answers

Zachary Kaufman
Zachary Kaufman
1,463 Points
Zachary Kaufman
Zachary Kaufman
1,463 Points

To test an iPhone app, Xcode has a simulator that allows for all iPhones from version 4s and newer, and iPad 2 and newer. You can also download any of the apps you create to your phone by plugging it into your computer and have the simulator run on your phone. It is all free. Is that what you meant? If you meant beta testing other peoples apps then you have to download the app "Testflight" which allows you to beta test other developers apps.

A X
A X
12,842 Points

Hi Zachary, I was looking to test an iPhone app, and I was wondering about Xcode. I have a Windows computer, so I'll have to try to find a MacOS to load into VirtualBox and then run XCode inside that. Whew, a lot of effort, but hopefully it'll be worth it! I also will look into Test Flight, thanks for the info on that too.

Zachary Kaufman
Zachary Kaufman
1,463 Points
Zachary Kaufman
Zachary Kaufman
1,463 Points

Unfortunately that won't work. Apple warns against using Xcode in a VM because it does not work. I was on the linux forums when I heard that, apparently the linux/windows community agrees that it can't be done that way. Testflight requires you to have a apple developer account which is 99 dollars a year. I am sorry I can't give better news about the subject. I would suggest asking a family member/friend/school if you can use and download xcode on their Mac. To test it on your phone all you need to do is have the files in Xcode and hit the play button in the upper left corner (make sure you phone is plugged in and selected) and then it downloads onto your phone like a regular app. The only difference is, you can't update it though the app store or give it to other people. To do those two things they need to plug their phone into a Mac with the app files in it. So you don't need to have a personal Mac. I am in the iOS Techdegree and use my dads Macbook because I don't have one of my own. I hope this helps, one more thing, Jetbrain has created an iOS Development IDE for Windows. I haven't used it before but it is possible that it has a simulator also. You can check it out at https://www.jetbrains.com/objc/ don't let the link fool you, it works for Swift, Objective C, C++ and a few web languages. Good luck! :D