1---
2title: Build for iOS Simulators
3description: Learn how to configure and install build for iOS simulators when using EAS Build.
4---
5
6import { Terminal } from '~/ui/components/Snippet';
7import ImageSpotlight from '~/components/plugins/ImageSpotlight';
8
9Running a build of your app on an iOS Simulator is useful. You can configure the build profile and install the build automatically on the simulator. This provides a standalone (independent of Expo Go) version of the app running without needing to deploy to TestFlight or even having an Apple Developer account.
10
11## Configuring a profile to build for simulators
12
13To install a build of your app on an iOS Simulator, modify the build profile in [**eas.json**](/build/eas-json/) and set the `ios.simulator` value to `true`:
14
15```json eas.json
16{
17  "build": {
18    "preview": {
19      "ios": {
20        "simulator": true
21      }
22    },
23    "production": {}
24  }
25}
26```
27
28Now, execute the command as shown below to run the build:
29
30<Terminal cmd={['$ eas build -p ios --profile preview']} />
31
32Remember that a profile can be named whatever you like. In the above example, it is called `preview`. However, you can call it `local`, `simulator`, or whatever makes the most sense.
33
34## Installing build on the simulator
35
36> If you haven't installed or run the iOS Simulator before, follow the [iOS Simulator guide](/workflow/ios-simulator) before proceeding.
37
38Once your build is completed, the CLI will prompt you to automatically download and install it on the iOS Simulator. When prompted, press <kbd>Y</kbd> to directly install it on the simulator.
39
40In case you have multiple builds, you can also run the `eas build:run` command at any time to download a specific build and automatically install it on the iOS Simulator:
41
42<Terminal cmd={['$ eas build:run -p ios']} />
43
44The command also shows a list of available builds of your project. You can select the build to install on the simulator from this list. Each build in the list has a build ID, the time elapsed since the build creation, the build number, the version number, and the git commit information. The list also displays invalid builds if a project has any.
45
46For example, the image below lists two previous builds of a project:
47
48<ImageSpotlight
49  alt="Running eas build:run command shows a list of available builds in a project."
50  src="/static/images/eas-build/eas-build-run-on-ios.png"
51/>
52
53When the build's installation is complete, it will appear on the home screen. If it's a development build, open a terminal window and start the development server by running the command `npx expo start`. For SDK 48 and lower, use the `--dev-client` flag with the command.
54
55### Running the latest build
56
57Pass the `--latest` flag to the `eas build:run` command to download and install the latest build on the iOS Simulator:
58
59<Terminal cmd={['$ eas build:run -p ios --latest']} />
60