iOS Simulator

Basic overview of Xcode

Xcode is the primary tool used for the development of Mac and iOS applications. This is a free tool which can be downloaded from developer.apple.com website. You can use Xcode for Writing code, Building, Testing (Unit test) and for Distribution (Submitting to App Store).

Different Panes in Xcode

Navigator

This is available at the left hand side of Xcode window. Provides option to navigate through the project files, Issues, Debug Session, Breakpoints etc.

Utilities

This is available at the right hand side of Xcode window. This contains File inspector, Quick Help inspector, File Template Library, Code Snippet Library, Object library and Media library. These tools help the developer with designing the user interface and writing coding using Xcode.

Editor

This available at the Centre of Xcode window and used for writing your code.

Interface builder

Interface builder or IB is available at the Centre of Xcode window when you navigate to your .xib file or storyboard. This allows users to build UI for their app.

Debug and Console

Debug and Console panes are available at the bottom of Xcode window. As the name suggests Debug provides option for debugging your app and console displays both system, exceptions and app written messages.

Toolbar

The Toolbar provides the option to Run, Analyse, Build and Test your App. This is the place where you would specify whether you want to run the app in simulator (iPhone or iPad) or real device,

Another important feature of Toolbar is the option it provides to show or hide panes of Xcode.

The Editor option provides toggle option to show or hide Standard Editor, Assistant Editor and Version Editor. Similarly View option provide option to show or hide Navigator, Debug Area and Utilities. You can also launch Organizer from Xcode Toolbar.

Oragnizer

This provides access to the Documentation, Projects, Archives, Repositories and Devices (Provisioning Profiles)

Quickly copy photos in to photos album in iOS Simulator

By Ravi Shankar Leave a Comment

Photos Album in iOS Simulator is generally empty and if you are writing apps using Photos functionality then you might need some photos in them. Listed below are the steps for placing photos under the Photos Album in Simulator.

Step 1: Access the Home screen on iOS simulator. (Hardware > Home)

If you tap Photos then you should see “No Photos or Videos” message.

Step 2: Now tap Safari icon on your Home screen.

Step 3: Open Finder window, locate the image that you want to copy then drag and drop the image on to Safari browser.

Step 4: Right click and hold for some time until you see the action sheet with an option to Save Image.

Navigate back to Home screen, tap the Photos option and this should show display the recently added Photo.

XCode’s iOS Simulator for iPhone and iPad

By Ravi Shankar Leave a Comment

iOS Simulator in Xcode can be used for testing iOS apps before trying the apps on a live device. Listed below are the different settings and features on iOS Simulator.

Launching iOS Simulator

iOS Simulator can be launched by executing Program on Xcode

Run Program on Xcode : Keyboard Shortcut is Command + R, Menu is Product -> Run

The screenshot of IOS Simulator is shown below.

Another alternate way to launch the iOS Simulator is by using the menu option under

Xcode -> Open Developer Tool -> IOS Simulator

iOS SDK Version

IOS SDK version of iOS Simulator can be determined by clicking the Hardware menu -> Version

Deleting Apps and Settings

Reset Content and Settings option clears all the apps and settings from the simulator. For example if you have changed the app icon, the new icon will not be displayed unless you delete the app from the simulator and re-run the program.

You can also delete individual apps by clicking and holding the installed apps followed by clicking delete mark just like you do on any iOS device.

Choosing the device screen on Simulator

IOS Simulator allows users to choose different device screens such as iPad, iPad (Retina), iPhone, iPhone (Retina 3.5 inch) and iPhone (Retina 4 inch). You can choose the desired screen by navigating to Hardware menu option and selecting the Device.

It is always recommend to try out the apps on the different device simulator before releasing it on the App Store. For example if you are developing an app for the iPhone then you need to try out in all the 4 iPhone device simulator apart from testing your app on live device.

Taking App Screenshots using Simulator

IOS Simulator can be used for taking screenshots of your app for publishing app on the App Store. This is quite useful when you do not have all IOS devices but still want to see the screenshots of your app. The Screenshots can be taken by loading the app on the Simulator and clicking the File menu -> Save Screenshot. The screenshot will be saved to your desktop in .PNG file format.

IOS Simulator also provides option to copy the individual screen from the simulator using the option available as part of the Edit menu.

Other Hardware features

IOS Simulator has features that lets users to see the behaviour of the app on each action such as Rotating Screen to Left, Rotating the Screen to Right, Shake Gesture, Accessing the Home Screen, Locking the Device and also simulating low memory warning.

Simulate Locations

Location menu option under the Debug menu is quite useful for development of location based apps. This lets developers to simulate location required for testing their app.

iOS Simulator Screen Zooming

IOS Simulator screen size can be increased and decreased based on your need using Window -> Scale menu option.