Testing Native Mobile Applications on an iOS Simulator

Note: To test native mobile applications or hybrid applications with Silk Test Workbench, you require a native mobile license. For additional information, see Licensing Information.

For information on the prerequisites for testing mobile applications on iOS, see Prerequisites for Testing Mobile Applications on iOS. For information on the known limitations when testing native mobile applications, see Limitations for Testing Mobile Native Applications.

To test a native mobile application (app) or a hybrid application on an iOS Simulator, perform the following tasks:

Prepare the Mac for testing. For additional information, see Preparing a Mac for Testing Mobile Applications on iOS.
In the Xcode project of the app, compile the app for the iOS Simulator. You can compile the app either from the Xcode UI or from the command line. For example, to compile the app through the command line for an iOS Simulator with iOS 10.0, execute the following command:
```
xcodebuild -sdk iphonesimulator10.0
```
Zip up the .app directory of the app into a .zip file. By default, the .app directory is located in the directory ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData. You can click File > Project Settings in Xcode to see into which location the directory is stored.
Add the Mac, on which the iOS Simulator is installed, as a remote location to the Windows machine on which Silk Test Workbench is installed. For additional information, see Editing Remote Locations.
Note: You can only test on one iOS Simulator that is installed on a Mac. Multiple Silk Test Workbench users cannot simultaneously test on multiple iOS Simulators that are installed on the same Mac.
Create a Silk Test Workbench project for your mobile application.
Create a test for your mobile application.
Record the actions that you want to execute in the test. When you start the Recording window, the Select Application dialog box opens.
Select the Mobile tab.
Select the iOS Simulator from the list.
Click Browse to select the zipped app file or enter the full path to the zipped app file into the Mobile app file text field. Silk Test Workbench supports HTTP and UNC formats for the path. Silk Test Workbench installs the app on the iOS Simulator.
Click OK. An iOS device or Simulator must not fall into sleep mode during testing. To turn the screen lock and password off, select Settings > Touch ID & Code.
When you have recorded all actions, stop recording.
Replay the test.
Analyze the test results.

Note: To test a native mobile app on both an iOS device and an iOS Simulator, ensure that the signed .ipa file and the zipped .app directory have the same name, except for the file extension, and are located in the same folder.