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Create and run a cloud build for iOS Simulator

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Learn how to configure a development build for iOS Simulators using EAS Build.

In this chapter, we'll create a development build that can run on an iOS Simulator with EAS Build.

Development builds for iOS Simulators are generated in the .app format which is different from iOS devices.

Watch: Creating a development build for iOS Simulator
Watch: Creating a development build for iOS Simulator

Learn how to create a simulator build profile in eas.json and run a development build on iOS Simulator.

Create a simulator build profile in eas.json

In eas.json, add a new build profile called ios-simulator with the ios.simulator property. Set its value to true:

eas.json
{
  "build": {
    "development": {
      %%placeholder-start%%... %%placeholder-end%%
    },
    "ios-simulator": {
      "ios": {
        "simulator": true
      }
    }
  }
}

For a development build, it's necessary to have the developmentClient and distribution properties defined in the profile. To avoid redundancy, we can extend the development profile properties:

eas.json
{
  "ios-simulator": {
    "extends": "development",
    "ios": {
      "simulator": true
    }
  }
}

Development build for iOS Simulator

1

Create

Run the eas build command with ios as a platform and ios-simulator as the build profile:

Terminal
- eas build --platform ios --profile ios-simulator

This command prompts us with the following questions when we create the build for the first time:

  • What would you like your iOS bundle identifier to be? Press Return to select the default value provided for this prompt. This will add ios.bundleIdentifier in app.json.
  • iOS app only uses standard/exempt encryption? Press Y to select the default value provided for this prompt. Since our app doesn't use non-exempt encryption, EAS CLI adds ios.infoPlist.ITSAppUsesNonExemptEncryption: false to the app config. This value manages the compliance check when you release your app to TestFlight or the App Store. If your own app uses non-exempt encryption, press N and confirm the follow-up prompt. EAS CLI then leaves the app config unchanged. You set the encryption status in App Store Connect.

After responding to the prompts, our EAS Build is queued, and the EAS CLI provides a link to view build details and track progress on the EAS dashboard:

What does a build details page contain?

The build details page displays the build type, profile, environment, Expo SDK version, app version, and build number. It also displays the fingerprint, the last commit hash, and the identity of the developer or account owner who initiated the build.

In the above image, the current status of the Build artifact shows that the build is in progress. Upon completion, this section will offer an option to download the build. The Logs outlines every step taken during the iOS build process on EAS Build. For the sake of brevity, we won't explore each step in detail here. To learn more, see iOS build process.

What is iOS bundle identifier?

The ios.bundleIdentifier is a unique name of our app. If we publish our app right now, the Apple App Store will use this property and its value to identify our app on the store.

This notation is defined as host.owner.app-name. For example, our example app has com.owner.stickersmash where com.owner is the domain and stickersmash is our app name.

2

Install

In the terminal, once the build finishes, EAS CLI prompts us by asking whether we want to run the build on an iOS Simulator. Press Y.

Alternate: Use Expo Orbit

You can use Expo Orbit to install the development build. From Build artifact on the EAS dashboard, click Open with Orbit to install the development build on the iOS Simulator.

3

Run

Start the development server by running the npx expo start command from the project directory:

Terminal
- npx expo start
- yarn expo start
- pnpm expo start
- bun expo start

Press I in the terminal window to open the project on the iOS Simulator.

Summary

Chapter 3: Create and run a cloud build for iOS Simulator

We successfully used EAS Build to create and run development builds on iOS Simulators.

In the next chapter, let's create a development build for iOS, install it on a device, and get it running.

Next: Chapter 4: Create and run a cloud build for iOS device