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Build an iOS app with EAS Build and run it on a remote iOS Simulator from Linux, Windows, or a cloud sandbox with Expo Simulators.

Expo Simulators is a limited-access preview. It is not included with paid or free plans and is currently available only to select partners. Join the waitlist if you are interested in trying it.

The iOS Simulator runs only on macOS. With Expo Simulators, the iOS Simulator runs on a Mac on EAS, and you control it from any computer. Use EAS Build to create the iOS Simulator build, then install it on an Expo Simulators session.

This workflow also works in a cloud sandbox or for a background coding agent that cannot run a local simulator.

Build and run on a remote iOS Simulator

{
  "build": {
    "development-simulator": {
      "developmentClient": true,
      "ios": {
        "simulator": true
      }
    }
  }
}

Run commands on Windows

EAS CLI runs on Windows. The shell examples in these docs use the shell syntax of macOS and Linux. For example, EXPO_UNSTABLE_TUNNEL_V2=1 npx expo start --tunnel sets an environment variable for one command, which does not work in PowerShell or Command Prompt. In PowerShell, set the variable first:

In Command Prompt, use set. Do not put a space before &&, because the space becomes part of the value:

Commands that continue on a new line with \ also fail in PowerShell. Put the command on one line, or end each line with a backtick (`) instead.

You can also run the examples as written in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) or Git Bash.

Common questions