List simulator devices with simctl list

simctl is the hidden command-line interface to iOS Simulator, and its list subcommand shows every device, its UDID, and whether it is booted — no Xcode window needed.

macOSsimctliossimulatorLow risk

Run `xcrun simctl list devices` to see all simulators grouped by runtime, or add `available` to show only usable ones.

01Command

Command

$ xcrun simctl list devices
xcrun simctl list devices available
xcrun simctl list runtimes

02What it does

Each line pairs a device name with its UDID and state (Booted or Shutdown), and the same tool can then boot a device (`simctl boot <UDID>`), install an app, or take screenshots. Adding the `available` filter hides devices whose runtimes are missing or incompatible, which is what you usually want in scripts.

03Risk

RiskLow risk

RequirementsXcode (or Command Line Tools) with installed simulator runtimes

!Warning: simctl must be invoked through xcrun because it is not on PATH; calling `simctl` directly fails with 'command not found'.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

simctl(1) — control iOS Simulator devices
manpagez · technical · 2026-09-17
Evidence: Documents the list subcommand with device and availability filters.
simctl man page (OS X)
unix.com · technical · 2026-09-17
Evidence: Man page text for simctl covering list, boot, and device management.

Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: Developer