EAS iOS Simulator Builds

Overview

How to set up and run iOS simulator development builds with EAS (no Apple credentials required). Focused on creating simulator-only profiles, building, installing, and running the Expo dev client on iOS simulators.

Quick start

• Prereqs: macOS with Xcode + Command Line Tools installed; EAS CLI installed; iOS Simulator available.
• Install

  expo-dev-client

  if not present:

  bunx expo install expo-dev-client

  .
• Use the simulator profile when building:

  bunx eas build --profile ios-sim --platform ios

  .
• Install/run after build: download the

  .tar.gz

  , extract the

  .app

  , then

  xcrun simctl install booted path/to.app

  and

  xcrun simctl launch booted host.exp.Exponent

  (or the app bundle ID).

Profile setup (eas.json)

Add a simulator-only profile (no signing):

{
  "build": {
    "ios-sim": {
      "extends": "development",
      "ios": {
        "simulator": true
      }
    }
  }
}

Notes:

• simulator: true

  ensures a simulator build (no Apple account/signing).
• Keep bundle identifiers consistent with your app config; OTA/runtimeVersion rules still apply.

Build & install

1. Build:

   bunx eas build --profile ios-sim --platform ios

   • This produces a

     .tar.gz

     containing the

     .app

     bundle.
2. Extract:

   tar -xzf <downloaded>.tar.gz

3. Install on a booted simulator:

   xcrun simctl install booted <path/to>.app

4. Launch:

   xcrun simctl launch booted <bundleIdentifier>

   (check your

   app.config.ts

   /

   app.json

   for the identifier).

Run with your app

• Start the Metro server:

  bunx expo start

  (or with your APP_VARIANT env if applicable).
• Open the installed dev client in Simulator and scan the QR or use the Metro URL to load the app.

Troubleshooting

• If the simulator isn’t booted, start one from Xcode or

  xcrun simctl boot "iPhone 15"

  before install.
• If the app won’t launch, verify the bundle identifier matches the installed app (

  simctl get_app_container booted <bundleIdentifier>

  ).
• Clear cache if loading issues:

  bunx expo start -c

  .
• If you accidentally build a device build, ensure

  simulator: true

  is set in the profile you’re using.