simctl-mcpsimctl-mcp MCP server

— (0)

Reviewed by Daniel Nikulshyn·Updated July 2026

Overview

simctl-mcp is a Model Context Protocol server implementation for iOS Simulator control. It allows for automation of tasks such as device management, app installation and removal, and system feature interactions. The server can be started in two modes: STDIO Mode and HTTP Server Mode. In STDIO Mode, the server communicates through standard input/output streams, while in HTTP Server Mode, it listens for HTTP connections on a specified port. Some examples of operations that can be performed include generating an Appium connection string, setting clipboard content, and taking screenshots. The implementation is based on TypeScript and uses the npx command for execution. Configuration is done through a JSON file, specifying the port, mode, and other settings.

Key features

Device Management: create, delete, boot, shutdown, list devices
App Management: install, uninstall, launch, terminate, get app information
App Permissions: grant, revoke, reset permissions
System Features: open URLs, add media files, get/set environment variables
Certificate & Security: add root certificates, add regular certificates, reset keychain
Media & Content: take screenshots, get/set pasteboard content

Pricing

Model: Free
Category: MCP Servers
Rating: No reviews yet

Use cases

Automated Testing

simctl-mcp can be used to automate testing of iOS apps by creating and managing simulator devices, installing and launching apps, and simulating user interactions.

Development and Debugging

simctl-mcp provides a convenient way for developers to interact with the iOS Simulator, allowing them to quickly test and debug their apps.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Provides a comprehensive interface for controlling the iOS Simulator
Supports multiple modes of operation (STDIO and HTTP server modes)
Offers a wide range of features for device and app management

Cons

Limited documentation and usage examples
May require technical expertise to fully utilize its capabilities

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first!

Q&A

What are the main limitations of using simctl-mcp?

Documentation and usage examples are limited, and full utilization often requires technical expertise to configure the JSON settings and interact with the server via STDIO or HTTP.

Asked by Tunde Balogun · Jul 8, 2025

What app‑level actions can be performed?

You can install, uninstall, launch, terminate, and retrieve information about apps, as well as manage app permissions (grant, revoke, reset).

Asked by Yaw Owusu · Jun 16, 2025

How can I control device lifecycle with simctl-mcp?

The server allows you to create, delete, boot, shutdown, and list iOS Simulator devices, enabling full automation of device management tasks.

Asked by Petros Georgiou · May 29, 2025

What modes does simctl-mcp support for running the server?

simctl-mcp can be run in STDIO Mode, where it communicates through standard input/output streams, or in HTTP Server Mode, where it listens for HTTP connections on a user‑specified port.

Asked by Kirsi Laine · May 18, 2025