How can I add files to the iOS simulator?

Question

Can someone tell me how can I add files to be used as test files for uploading from the simulator?

I dragged a PDF to the simulator and this is all I get. Can't really tap the Add button.

Flathead

Tap "On my iPhone" to add the file to Files on the simulated device. Alternately you can login with an iCloud account (I suggest using a test account), then iCloud storage is available. – Sensorium

Answer 1

You can upload files to iCloud Drive of the account you are logged in with on the simulator, and access them by navigating to Browse/iCloud Drive inside the Files app or a file upload dialog.

Gadget

So there's no way to pull local files on device? – Flathead

Does iCloud Drive show files in your simulators after login? No success for me ... empty iCloud Drive (logged-in and option enabled in settings) – Ariminum

not work, icloud after signin, is empty file – Ludeman

Answer 2

Since none of the given solution worked for me on Simulator of iOS 13/Xcode 11, (trying to add a file, dragged from the Finder would just give an error), I found a workaround.

This takes a bit of setting up at first, but you get free access to the actual folder right from the Finder.

When I drag a file to the Simulator (providing no other App handles the file), the Files App would open, but when I save, I get "Invalid argument error".

The solution:

The folder named "On my phone" in the Simulator is called "File Provider Storage". The aim is to find it in the Finder.

The full path:

username/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Devices/device_hash_folder/data/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/hash_folder/File Provider Storage/

(Note:
Up until to current version (13.1), the Simulator does not work for picking files. You can see the files, but nothing happens on click.)

Here are the steps:

1. Open the Files app on the Simulator and navigate to "On my phone" folder.
2. (Still in the Simulator) Create a folder with a unique name.
   2a. You need to drag the screen down to reveal a '...' button. Pressing that will give you an option to create a new folder.

From here there are two ways

The short:

(In the Finder)
3a. Navigate to: username/Library/Developer/Core Simulator/Devices.
3b. Search for the folder you created. It should be in "File Provider Storage". That is the "On my phone" folder.

If the search does not find for any reason:

3a. Run an App and print (from Xcode) the path to documentDirectory (using FileManager).
3b. Open it in Finder and navigate back to "Containers folder".
3c. Navigate to Shared/AppGroup.
3d. You're looking for Shared/AppGroup/some_hashFolder/File Provider Storage/your_folder.
3e. Either look for modified date (folder created) of search for the folder name.

Roundhouse

So I did this with a csv file. The file appears but I can't click on it. When I click on it from the files app nothing happens. When I click on it from my app, using a UIDocumentPickerDelegate, nothing happens (iOS 13.1). – Simplistic

@BenNoland Sadly, same here. It works on a real device, but not on the Simulator. While I found a way to add files, it seems that the simulator does not support this kind of interaction. It's really too bad. – Roundhouse

This solution worked perfectly for me on a simulator on iOS 13.3. Thank you for such a detailed answer! – Kevenkeverian

Brilliant idea, perfect workaround. Works like a charm – Print

Thanks! this was the solution for me!!, but the full path are hidden by default , just CMD +SHIF + " ." to see all the hidden files inside your userFolder – Uncle

@Uncle Or, you can open the Go menu (from Finder) and hold 'Options' key, the Library will appear. From there, you can freely navigate. I don't think it's really 'hidden'. Hidden files start with '.' as the first character. I guess hiding the Library is a Finder preferences settings. – Roundhouse

@Roundhouse can you please share how did you manage to add a file? I'm trying to add a plain-text document to the simulator and I run into the same issue as you and Ben did! – Houchens

@AkashAgarwal My answer focus mainly on locating the folder (in the Finder) of where the Simulator files are located. All that's left is to copy a file to that location. – Roundhouse

@Roundhouse thanks for the reply. I was primarily referring to your comment in reply to Ben Noland on this answer :) – Houchens

@AkashAgarwal I filed a bug report to Apple about that at the time. They fixed many issues in the Simulator regarding the Files app since though. – Roundhouse

This should be the top answer. A few notes. For me CoreSimular was single word with no space. I.e /Users/xxxx/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Devices/2FAE1010-A0DC-42E5-98B4-899B86FD6A10/data/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/E92C52DF-233E-435F-A957-62F3B4FA2565/File Provider Storage/MyNewUploadsFolder – Benzophenone

One can do folder search by name. For example I did: find /Users/xxxx/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Devices/ -name "MyNewUploadsFolder" to reveal the folder path. – Benzophenone

@ArvindK. Thank! I did notice 'Core Simulator' is now 'CoreSimulator' (no spaces). I'll update the answer. – Roundhouse

Thanks! This should be the accepted answer. – Holding

To get images/videos into the Photos app, open the video in Files and click "Save Video" and it will save to Photos – Vivie

If you're still not finding it, just create a Folder in iOS Simulator Files app with a random string like: "Qhdtbixpx". Then search for it in Macbook Finder, you'll easily find the folder and be able to add files there. https://mcmap.net/q/261701/-how-can-i-add-files-to-the-ios-simulator – Carlo

this helped me so much because saving files in Xcode 16 Beta 3 simulator is not working at all. – Sharkskin

Answer 3

updated answer:
since xcode11/sdk13 dragging files over the simulator does not work for whatever reason. you can send media files (jpg, png, mov, etc) via terminal with xcrun simctl addmedia <device> <path>.

therefore, this command will add an image right into Photos app with no questions asked:

xcrun simctl addmedia booted pic.001.jpg <== booted is the current running simulator. 

in my case, i wanted to send root certificates to allow connecting to local servers, which doesnt work with addmedia. the solution was to force the simulator to navigate to the full macOS local path to the .cer file with safari

xcrun simctl openurl booted 'file:///Users/my.user/Desktop/my.cer'

as it turns out, launching safari and typing file:///Users/my.user/Desktop/my.cer in the address bar will also work. use this for pdfs and other types.

original answer:
On XCode 9 simulator, if it's an image/video, simply drag it over the simulator. It adds it to the Photos app. Other types of files seem to randomly open the file browser and generally fail. :P

Frohne

This is by far the best answer. Just worked for me with a pdf. – Jujutsu

This should be the most voted answer! So simple and powerful! – Pronounce

this used to work just fine, but since xcode11/ios13, it doesnt seem to work -- no errors but no files. i transferred root certificates via icloud, seemed easier than dealing with finder paths like in other answers. – Frohne

On Xcode 12, iOS 14: It just successfully added an image into the photos app, xcrun simctl addmedia Booted 20200913_130141.jpg, not sure why it doesn't work for you Joe. Dragging the image also worked 😛 – Bicollateral

interesting 😏 just tested the drag and drop on xcode 12 ios 13.2.2 and it worked fine. i guess it's something with the simulator that came bundled in xcode 11, who knows. but the xcrun does the job anyway. – Frohne

CSV file worked perfectly for me! xcrun simctl openurl booted 'file:///Users/myuser/Desktop/file.csv' – Fichte

Still works!! Xcode 15 – Magdalenamagdalene

Answer 4

The easiest solution can be found here: https://apple.stackexchange.com/a/299565/140768

Short summary: You need an application which is able to handle/store "documents". As suggested in the linked post just create an empty "Document based" app and run it once.

Plasticize

This is super! A nice workable solution for a developer :) – Bonita

Great idea! I do think it's annoying that Apple doesn't provide a way to just mock some file data in the simulator, but alas it is Apple, haha. – Rusell

Answer 5

The answer is much simpler, just zip the file in macOS and drag and drop into the simulator, it will automatically be opened in the files app and there you can decompress and use it.

Blindworm

You gangster bro – Vanderbilt

Answer 6

Multiple steps but works

1) Create a new project Document Based app and run it on the same simulator.

2) Now open safari in simulator and google for pdf. Select save to files option from action sheet and then select you newly created app folder.

Disconcerted

I recommend to rename "multiple" to "just 2" :) because it really took 2 minutes to do it. which is fast to be honest. also you'd increase the conversion rate of people to complete these steps :) – Candicecandid

I get an error that says "The operation couldn't be completed. No such file or directory" – Elide

Just found a solution, I had to go to the root folder of my computer and send files from there. – Elide

This should be the accepted answer. Spot on. No frills – Pollypollyanna

Answer 7

Dragging and dropping a file from Filer onto the simulator has an issue with macOS Catalina (I am currently on 10.15.5 and seeing it). Apparently, if the source file is in a "restricted" directory (such as Downloads), it won't transfer.

Put the file in your $HOME directory and then drag it (or use Share button to share to simulator). See thread: https://forums.developer.apple.com/thread/126307

Stratigraphy

Apparently this drag and drop problem got fixed. Now on macOS Catalina 10.15.6 and XCode Version 12.0.1 (12A7300) and Simulator Version 12.0.1 (940.16). – Stratigraphy

this is easiest solution that worked, Thanks. – Lupien

Answer 8

1. Use safari on your simulator

2. Vist https://en.unesco.org/inclusivepolicylab/sites/default/files/dummy-pdf_2.pdf for a dummy pdf

3. Click the middle icon as shown below

4. Click on save to files and you are done

Mildew

BRILLIANT!!! How noone thought of that before! Thanks! – Annalee

Answer 9

Currently, you can click using your right mouse button on the folder / image that you wanna send and select from the list Share -> Simulator

then you'll see a list of options:

Bravar

This is the easiest way to add files to any iOS simulator – Alethiaaletta

Where are the file(s) sent to? When I did this, the file does not show up in the Files folder. – Rosanarosane

OMG, you are genius! The easiest way to send specific file to simulator! – Asarum

Answer 10

I found one easy way to do it with a little help from Python3 (I suppose all Macs should have it installed by default.

Here are the steps.

1. Open your terminal app
2. Go to the directory which contains your file(s), e.g.

(I need to transfer a self-signed certificate to the simulator)

3. Run python3 -m http.server to launch an HTTP server
4. Open Safari in your similator, and open http://localhost:8000, you should see a list of file(s), e.g.

5. Download the file(s) you need from Safari

Invulnerable

Might as well drag and drop the zscaler cert into the simulator manually, seems easier – Goldiegoldilocks

Answer 11

Just drag and drop on the simulator window. That's it.

Pock

Answer 12

Just open Safari and download something.

Pock

This is the ONLY solution that worked for me! Honestly, I love you right now :-) – Rachael

didn't work for me. The 'Add' button is still disabled inside "On My iPhone" folder – Pollypollyanna

Answer 13

Simple answer:

1. Put the simulator into home screen
2. Drag and drop a file onto the simulator home screen
3. If the file is associated with an app, it will open that app and you can save the file using that app. If not associated with any app, then the Files app will open and you can choose to save "On My iPhone" or elsewhere.

Side note: I was working on an app that had the file association, but did not save the file. So I deleted my app from the simulator, copied the file into the Files app, then restored my app to the simulator. Mention in case it helps others.

@Palli Kominak gave this answer but left it in a comment under one of the other answers.

Sly

Answer 14

Maybe I am a bit late but after reading all complex answers, here's the simple and quick solution. Since you are using simulator and you want to access some of the files/images via simulator, follow these steps,

1. Minimize your current applications and search for photos app,

2. Open photos app in simulator, it will just look like real iPhone

3. Now, just drag and drop an Image or File of any type. If it is an image it will appear in Photos else it will open the Files app it self and will ask you the permission to save file on device. Something like this, ]

Simple, now use it just like it acts on real device.

Saccharine

You don't even need to open Photos app. It works similar when dragging file to simulator home screen. BUT when you have registered document type with an app and you are trying to drag file of that type it will open the app right away and not Files app. – Smokejumper

Instead of opening Photos just open the Files app on the iOS simulator and drag files(of any type) from Mac Finder onto that. It will accept them and allow you to place in the Files folder hierarchy – Shaefer

Answer 15

If you want to add some files to the "Files" app, first you have to find its directory in your mac, create a directory named for example, "MagicTheGreate", in the "Files" app, and then go to the command line and search the ./Library folder for the name.

find ~/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Devices/ -name MagicTheGreate

Now you can copy your files to that directory or the parent one, it will show up on your simulator. The bad news is, the directory changes once in a while and you have to find it again.

Barranca

Answer 16

The easiest way is to create a Folder in iOS Simulator Files app with a random string like: "Qhdtbixpx". Then search for it in Macbook Finder in the Devies folder (Cmd + G : /Users/user/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Devices/) , you'll easily find the folder and be able to add files there.

Sandbag

Answer 17

You can put files in your APP's local /documents folder. To get the directory name in your APP do

NSArray *paths = NSSearchPathForDirectoriesInDomains(NSDocumentDirectory, NSUserDomainMask, YES); NSString *fileNam = [NSString stringWithFormat:@"myImage.JPG"]; NSString *filePath = [[paths objectAtIndex:0] stringByAppendingPathComponent: fileNam];

you will also need to enable file sharing by putting

UIFileSharingEnabled

in info.plist

You can copy any file you like into the simulator's local documents directory.

Hereinafter

Answer 18

In my case I wanted to upload the proxy certificate with shell without any confirmation dialog, so I came up with this:

SIM_UDID=$(xcrun simctl list devices | grep Booted | awk -F'[\(\)]' '{print $2}')
find ~/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Devices/$SIM_UDID/data/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/ -name "File\ Provider\ Storage" -exec cp path_to_some_file {} \;

First line is simply getting the UDID of a booted simulator and the second one is finding all File Provider Storage directories inside booted simulator and then copies the file to them.

Copied file should appear inside Files app.

Of course if one wants to specify the simulator or multiple simulators are booted, grep Booted can be changed to grep <name_of_the_device>

---

UPDATE

this lines can copy the file directly just to LocalStorage, no other directories in the contrary to the previous solution.

SIM_UDID=$(xcrun simctl list devices | grep Booted | awk -F'[\(\)]' '{print $2}')
FILES_PATH=$(xcrun simctl listapps $SIM_UDID | grep LocalStorage | awk -F'"' '{print $4}' | sed -e "s/^file:\/\///")
cp path_to_some_file $FILES_PATH/File\ Provider\ Storage

This approach makes use of xcrun simctl listapps command which return the AppGroup id of FileProvider.LocalStorage

Quinque

Answer 19

If you want to file .app you can file follow this step by step.

1. open Finder -> Go -> Computer -> Untitled -> Users -> (FolderNameYourMacbook)
2. shift + command + .
3. then file hidden is show open this path continue : /Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/YourAppName-xxxxxxxxx/Build/Products
4. try drag file .app on Simulator

nearly my result image this.

Apish

Answer 20

create a folder, copy your file to the folder and then drag the folder and drop it in files in simulator or home screen, audio file will be copied in simulator.

Zaibatsu

Answer 21

You can browse to Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Devices/Your App ID/data

This is basically your phone's storage. You can copy the files to any of the location you like and it will appear in your simulator.

Spinning

I have accessed the files of the application this way, as suggested in this answer: #47950738 copying files on to that location should in turn appear in your simulator. – Spinning

Correct path = ~/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Devices/(SIMULATORID)/data/Containers/Data/Application/(APPLICATIONID) – Mitra

Answer 22

You don't need any hacks for that. Steps:

1. Open IOS Simulator on your Mac.
2. Go to Finder
3. Choose any file
4. Click the right mouse button to open "perform tasks menu"
5. Choose Simulator
6. Then, choose the directory on the simulator to save file. You can also change the file name or then create a new folder for your files.
7. Click "Save" on the simulator. Done!

1 screen 2 screen

I use it always, it works perfectly. You can do same for media files(pictures/video). The official info from Apple: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/xcode/sharing-data-with-simulator#Add-files-to-Simulator

Externalism

Please do not post duplicate answers. – Interpolation