How do I downgrade the simulator in Xcode?

Developer Tools & Services Xcode
remsleep OP
Created Nov ’18
Replies 11
Boosts 2
Views 41k
Participants 15

My app is working as expected in the simulator on iOS 12.1, but not on my iOS 11.x device, and it is just a layout issue. I'm not aware of any major changes in layout constraints from 11 to 12, so I'm perplexed... I upgraded an older device from iOS 10 to 12 and my app layout works on it, so it seems something changed between iOS 11 and 12 regarding layout, but I don't know what that is...


How can I get a simulator running iOS 11.x to debug? I'll start debugging on my actual 11.x device, but I would also like to know how to get a simulator running older iOS versions? xcodebuild -showsdks says I only have 12.1 iphone/simulator 12.1 -- how do I run 11.x in the simulator, or older iOS versions in general in the simulator?

Replies  11
Boosts  2
Views  41k
Participants  15
Universalis OP
Nov ’18

You can download and install simulators all the way back to iOS 8.1. In Xcode:


  1. Xcode > Preferences.
  2. Select the "Components" tab.
  3. Mark the simulators you want.
  4. Press "Check and Install Now".
9
Flexi1791 OP
Oct ’19

Thanks! Why isn't this in the Device / Simulators dialog.

0
Sergioff OP
Sep ’20
What if the "Components" tab does not list any other simulator?
Is there a way to obtain them?
3
ifordev OP
Feb ’21
Is there a web link for that? My connection keeps breaking and it won't resume.
0
chepiok OP
Oct ’22

At least from xCode 14, now it's in "Windows" menu, "Devices and Simulators". You can download an older iOS SDK and create a simulator with it.

2
danielmorbeck OP
Dec ’22

Any advice on how to install a IOS 12 simulator using Xcode 14? I've already tried to install older versions of Xcode but I get an error on every attempt to install the simulator.

1
joshdance OP
Apr ’23

In 2023 the answer is similar but different:

  1. Xcode > Preferences
  2. Platforms Tab
  3. Click the lower left hand + button
  4. Select the versions you want to download.
3
JrJackBlack OP
Oct ’23

I am using Xcode 15 and there is no ios 14 or ios13 simulator! How can I install ios 14 or ios13 simulators?

1
joinedappsforum OP
Oct ’23

Same as guy above, XCode 15 and it only lists 17.0 in the simulator. If I look inside the xcode folders it lists lots of other ios versions, interestingly it doesn't actually list 17, just 8->16.4. How is it this fiddly and wierd to just get a simulator for different versions of ios!? I followed a few guides of downloading other versions of the simulators from github and something else with some commands, don't seem to make any diff, I don't see anything other than ios 17.0.

0
BryanKhufa OP
Oct ’23

I just found out how to install another iOS version for simulator in XCode 15:

We can go to Settings > Platforms > Small (+) button on the bottom left corner

2
blueshifter OP
Nov ’23

What about installing iOS 12 and 13 within XCode 15? For me, the lowest Version I can download from within XCode is 14 :(

1
How do I downgrade the simulator in Xcode?
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