How To Run iOS Apps on a PC

At the time of this writing, there is no legal way to install iOS on a device that’s not made by Apple, Inc. However, there are many emulators, virtual clones, and simulators available to developers, testers, and YouTubers out there. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best ways to run iOS apps on a PC.

1. iPadian

iPadian is a free iOS simulator that offers high processing speed and smooth operation. The simulator also has a pretty high average rating and a good reputation in the community.

If you opt for iPadian, you’ll get a rather simple and easy-to-use simulator packed with basic apps. Facebook notification widget, YouTube, Angry Birds, and the web browser are included in the package.

The simulator’s desktop looks like a mix of iOS and Windows. iPadian will let you install and use apps from their play store only, so no native iOS apps will run on it. To go back to Windows, click the Windows icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

2. AIR iPhone

AIR iPhone emulator is famous for its simplicity and ease of use. It is designed for those who want to create a virtual iPhone on their PC. It can run the iOS applications on your PC smoothly and without problems. Though very good, it lacks some functionalities of a real iPhone.

You can also use this powerful emulator to create and test cross-platform applications for Windows and iOS. This emulator is based on Adobe’s AIR platform, so you’ll need to install it before installing the AIR iPhone.

2. Smartface

Smartface is a great option for professional app developers. You can use it to develop and test cross-platform apps and games. You won’t need a Mac, as the emulator also has a debugging mode you can use to track down the bugs in your app. Additionally, Smartface allows you to debug android apps.

Smartface is available in two versions – free and paid. The free version, though a great app, lacks some important features of its paid counterpart. The paid version starts from $99 and has some pretty neat enterprise services and plugins.

3. Appetize.io

If you’re looking for a cloud-based simulator similar to the now discontinued App.io, you might be interested to give Appetize.io a chance.

The app’s home page allows you to emulate an iPhone, albeit with limited functionalities. You can’t visit the app store and install new applications on it. Also, there are no installed games and you can’t use the camera or call anyone.

The real forte of this cloud-based app is in the development and testing fields. You can use it free for 100 minutes once you download it. After that, you will have to pay five cents per minute.

5. Xcode

If you’re looking to develop apps and test them on a variety of iOS devices, then Xcode is a good option for you. Equipped with built-in emulators for testing purposes, Xcode allows for a high-degree of customization when running apps within them.

You can easily run emulators with tvOS, watchOS, iOS, and more. Even if you’re new to coding, you can get up and running with this in a matter of minutes.

6. Xamarin

Another iOS emulator for developers, Xamarin is plugin that can be installed in Microsoft Visual Studio, which is an IDE (Integrated Development Environment). Although it can take a little know-how to get started using Xamarin, it offers a great deal of features and has a knowledgeable community of users.

Final Thoughts

Despite the fact that it’s impossible to install iOS on a PC, there are many ways to go around it. You will be able to play your favorite iOS games, develop and test apps, and shoot YouTube tutorials using one of these great emulators and simulators.