Running a mobile app on a computer with an Android or iOS emulator has many benefits. While there are several quality Android emulators, options for running iOS apps on Windows and Mac are rarer. To help, I’ve gathered a selection of the top iOS emulators for Mac and PC.
This software allows you to simulate an iOS device’s behavior without purchasing additional hardware. Games like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Pokemon Go can be played on a PC using an emulator. It also helps when testing an app and identifying unexpected behavior.
Most emulators on this list are free to try; however, a few need payment. Okay, so here we go:
Please take note: The list’s iOS emulation software is geared largely toward programmers who want to run tests on their apps before releasing them to the public. Some apps can be difficult to set up, and they may not be ideal for the average user who just wants to use an iOS app on a PC. As was said before, there is a lack of accessible simulation apps for iOS.
Top iOS Emulator Software for PC and Mac | 2024 Edition
Appetize.io
Appetize.io is included and is at the top of the list because of the ease with which you may utilize the freemium service. Because there are so few iOS emulators for Windows and Mac, it’s great to have a solution that merely necessitates uploading an app to a website.
Web-based streaming of iOS simulators is made possible with Appetize.ion. It’s put to work in developing, testing, and integrating software with websites.
The trial version of this iPhone simulator allows you to stream apps for 100 minutes at no cost. The dashboard will allow you to keep tabs on your consumption and set notifications when you reach predetermined thresholds.
Corellium
Corellium is another PC-based iOS emulator, popular among security researchers who need to simulate the user experience of iOS devices in a browser. It is a veteran of the iPhone jailbreak community and will take good care of you.
Regarding iOS virtualization, Corellium was once reserved for enterprise users but is now open to the general public. Corellium does not want the instrument to fall into the wrong hands; thus, obtaining it can be challenging.
iOS Simulator in Xcode
Xcode, Apple’s IDE for Macs, features a simulator for iOS, tvOS, watchOS, and iMessage apps. As a result, if Xcode is the primary environment for creating apps, it is adequate for simulating user interactions, including tapping, moving the device, scrolling, and other actions.
You can use the Xcode project to launch an application on a Mac immediately. Safari’s interaction with Xcode makes it superior to other free iPhone emulators for testing web applications.
TestFlight
Developers typically use Apple-owned TestFlight to beta test iOS apps built with the Xamarin platform. It’s also the method of app testing that Apple recommends.
The extensive documentation for TestFlight, a PC-based iOS emulator, is a major plus. This no-cost software is compatible with iOS, watchOS, tvOS, and iMessage. The applications might be subjected to external beta testing before being evaluated for final status. This emulation service has some drawbacks, including needing a technical installation and establishing an App Store distribution profile.
iPhone 11 On QEMU
The widely-used open-source emulator QEMU can now emulate iOS devices. Since it’s open source, you can get it for free even though it’s not finished. You can download the QEMU iPhone emulator’s source code from the URL provided in the following link.
Currently, QEMU emulates a wide variety of hardware, including S8000 secureROM, USB, SPRR, and GFX. For this reason, it is one of the best choices if you want to use a free iOS emulator. Unfortunately, you’ll need a Mac to use this.
Electric Mobile Studio
Although Electric Mobile Studio is a membership service, it offers a free 7-day trial period; therefore, it meets our criteria for this list. Using the same product on two PCs allows for shared office and homework arrangements, and the full-fledged emulation of iPhones, iPads, and responsive programs are among the highlighted advantages.
WebKit and Chrome debugging features attract developers to this iPhone emulator for Windows 10. It is possible to customize the interface with a set of hotkeys for quick navigation. Windows users can easily incorporate Visual Studio with this iOS app development tool.
Remoted iOS Simulator for Windows PC
Testing iOS apps on a Windows PC? Try out the popular Remoted iOS Simulator for Windows. This handy tool for programmers comes standard with Xamarin and Visual Studio. Users can test their apps on the iOS simulator by following the detailed instructions on Microsoft’s website.
A menu bar containing frequently used functions like “Home,” “Lock,” “Settings,” and “Screenshot” is displayed in the main window of the utility. The Settings menu is where you’ll be able to enable Touch ID emulation, as well as other capabilities that let you simulate motion, shake, rotate, etc. The program also allows for stylus input and touch motions similar to those found on the iPhone.
Please be aware that this is a remote iOS emulator for Windows. To put it briefly, you can only run an iOS emulator on a Mac; from there, data can be sent to a Windows PC.
iPadian- iOS Emulator For PC
iPadian is just one of many widely used programs that aim to bring iOS device functionality to desktop computers like the Mac or PC. Although these options provide a custom layer on top of your OS and make it possible to install some iOS-like apps, they do not allow you to upload your app/code and test it. Those who need only an iOS emulator with a UI and aesthetic similar to those of iOS devices can use iPadian.
How to test iOS apps on Windows?
The only operating system capable of mimicking iOS on Apple devices is macOS; therefore, this is impossible. Testing iOS apps necessitates native macOS operation because you cannot launch a macOS virtual machine on Windows. While simulators are now the best option for testing iOS apps, Apple may, in the future, release a dedicated developer tool. While you wait, check out our piece on PC and Android Nintendo switch emulators!
FAQs
Do PCs support iOS apps?
The aforementioned iOS emulators make it possible to use a computer to access and use iOS software.
Does BlueStacks have the ability to emulate iOS?
Unfortunately, BlueStacks cannot emulate iOS. It’s an Android emulator, so you may use it to play Android games and apps on your Mac or PC.
Could I use a Windows PC with an iOS emulator?
An iOS emulator can be used on Windows using browser-based iOS simulation software.
Why is there no iOS emulator?
Since iOS is an Apple proprietary operating system, its source code is kept secret. There will be no way for a third-party iOS emulator to be created because of this. Until Apple releases its iOS emulator for Windows, the options available to us are confined to the ones below.
I hope this list of iOS emulators is as helpful as our collection of Android simulators for PCs. We want to list emulators like RetroArch and PCSX2 that can play old video games soon.