Simulator

Also called: iOS Simulator

Software that imitates a device's behavior on your computer, like Apple's iOS Simulator.

Definition

A simulator imitates the software environment of a device without copying its hardware. The iOS Simulator in Xcode runs iOS apps on a Mac. It is fast and useful for layout and flows, but cannot fully test things like the camera, push notifications, real performance or battery.

In practice

You use the iOS Simulator to check the app on an iPhone SE and an iPhone 16 Pro Max screen size, then confirm camera scanning on a real iPhone.

Learn it in context

Lessons that use this term.

How to Write Test CasesTutorials
iOS vs Android DifferencesMobile
What Is Software Testing?Fundamentals
Device FragmentationMobile
How to Write a Bug ReportTutorials
GesturesMobile
Interruptions (Calls, SMS, Alarms)Mobile
Simulators and EmulatorsMobile
Search BarComponents

Related terms

EmulatorSoftware that imitates a real device's hardware and OS on your computer, like the Android Emulator.
Real deviceA physical phone or tablet used for testing, as opposed to an emulator or simulator.