claudekit / updates / desktop-ios-simulator
[ NEW · ]

The iOS Simulator pane comes to Claude Code Desktop (public beta)

Claude Code Desktop opens your app in an iOS Simulator pane when Claude builds, runs, or checks it, streaming the device screen live next to your conversation. Watch Claude install and tap through the app to verify its own changes, or tap through it yourself. It's in public beta on macOS, available on Pro, Max, and Team plans.

Claude CodeClaude DesktopiOS
Official announcement →

This article is a summary based on official documentation.

Overview

The iOS Simulator pane shows your app running in Apple’s iOS Simulator next to your conversation in Claude Code Desktop. When Claude builds, installs, launches, or checks your app in a simulator, the pane opens automatically and streams the device screen live — so you can watch Claude run and test your app, or tap through it yourself while Claude keeps working. It’s in public beta on macOS, available on the Pro, Max, and Team plans.

Key features

  • A pane that opens on its own

    Checking Claude’s iOS changes used to mean launching a simulator separately and switching back and forth. Now a request like “Build the app and run it in the simulator to check the onboarding flow” opens the pane automatically when the app launches, and you watch Claude install the app, tap through it, and read the screen to verify its own changes. No command or setting is needed.

  • Direct drive that never takes over your screen

    Computer use takes over the screen and can hide your other windows. The simulator pane drives the simulator directly, so it doesn’t take over your screen and doesn’t need the macOS Accessibility and Screen Recording permissions. From the CLI, Claude still reaches the simulator through computer use.

  • Drive the device yourself

    The pane is interactive, not only a viewer. Tap and swipe by clicking and dragging, press hardware buttons with Apple’s Simulator shortcuts (Home Cmd+Shift+H, lock Cmd+L), and save a screenshot with Cmd+S or a recording with Cmd+R to your Desktop. While Claude drives the device, a “Claude is using this device” badge appears — wait for it to clear before tapping so the result reflects the app rather than your input.

  • Per-session device management

    Each device belongs to the session that launched it, so parallel sessions don’t share a device. Switching sessions in the sidebar switches the simulator view too, and each session can open up to 4 panes. Devices Claude booted shut down when you quit the app, archive the session, or 10 minutes after you detach a device.

Notes

  • Requirements — Claude Desktop v1.24012.0 or later, a Mac, and Xcode with the iOS platform installed. If no simulators are found, the pane shows the setup steps (xcodebuild -downloadPlatform iOS).
  • Local sessions only — cloud and SSH sessions run on a machine that can’t reach the simulators on your Mac, so the pane isn’t available there.
  • Device consent — Claude asks for consent the first time it controls a device. Its screenshots are sent to Anthropic and kept under your normal conversation retention settings, so don’t sign in to real accounts on a device Claude uses.
  • Actions that follow permission mode — opening a URL on the device and building the app (xcodebuild runs your build scripts) follow your session’s permission mode rather than the one-time consent.
  • No physical devices — Claude drives simulated devices only and can’t control a physical iPhone or iPad.
§ 4

Frequently Asked Questions

frequently asked
§ 4.1
What is the iOS Simulator pane?
It shows your app running in Apple's iOS Simulator next to your conversation in Claude Code Desktop. When Claude builds, installs, launches, or checks your app in a simulator, the pane opens automatically and streams the device screen live.
§ 4.2
When and on which plans is it available?
It's in public beta in Claude Code Desktop on macOS. It's available on the Pro, Max, and Team plans, and not available on the Enterprise plan.
§ 4.3
What do I need?
Claude Desktop v1.24012.0 or later, a Mac, and Xcode with the iOS platform installed. The simulator pane is available in local sessions only, not in cloud or SSH sessions.
§ 4.4
How is it different from computer use?
The Desktop simulator pane drives the simulator directly, so it never takes over your screen and doesn't need the macOS Accessibility and Screen Recording permissions. From the CLI, Claude reaches the iOS Simulator through computer use instead.
§ 4.5
Can I turn off Claude's simulator access?
Yes. You can turn it off in the desktop app's settings, and organizations can block it entirely with the `disableMobileSimulatorTools` managed setting. The pane stays usable for your own taps even when Claude's access is off.