Testing an iOS device, whether it’s an iPhone or an iPad, goes way beyond software. Therefore, the best we can do to get a clear idea of what we are talking about is go to an Apple Store and try as much as we want: colors, sizes, options… but if going to the store is not an option, we have another interesting resource.
Our Mac to the rescue with Xcode
Thanks to Xcode we can test almost any device virtually on our Mac A great option for newcomers to the platform looking to get a feel for what they’ll find when their first iPhone or iPad comes out. The process is quite simple, from the beginning here are the steps to follow:
- We open the application App store on our Mac.
- In the search engine at the top left we write “Xcode” and press enter.
- Next to Xcode, in the results, we touch Obtain and after install.
We are waiting for the application to be completely downloaded and installed. The process will take more or less depending on the speed of your internet connection, but it’s just a matter of waiting. So we are ready to open the simulator.
- We open the application X-Code on our Mac.
- If you ask us for the administrator password to install additional tools, we will provide it to you.
- When we see the “Welcome to Xcode” window, we go to the menu CodeXplace the mouse over Open the developer tool and click on Simulator.
- Once the Simulator application is open, we touch the menu Case
An almost complete simulator of the operating system
After a few seconds we will see our device appear on the screen and it will turn on. After that, by clicking to simulate a touch, we can move the different parts as we would on a real iPhone or iPad. Note, however, that the functionality of this simulator is not complete at all. It is true that we can use the calendar, schedule meetings, access the Files application, see how the photos work, use with Safari or browse the maps, but if we go to Settings we will see that some options are not everything simply not present.
Options such as Face ID, for example, or notifications make little sense within the framework of the Xcloud simulator, since it is designed to be able to test the applications developed and its operation. In any case, even with some missing preferences or applications, the truth is that it is the only way to try an iPhone 13 or a last generation iPad mini without going to an Apple Store.
A while ago, we could find a simulator online, but since iOS and iPadOS are copyrighted, nowadays it’s really hard to find. Of course, we can always ask a family member or friend to let us see their device, of course, but for when that’s not an option. Xcode can really be useful.