SimCam

SimCam is a macOS tool that adds a live, controllable camera feed directly into the iOS Simulator. It appears as a system‑level virtual camera, so iOS apps using standard AVFoundation APIs see it just like a real device camera. Developers can stream from the Mac’s built‑in camera, inject static images, play video files, or generate and feed QR codes. Everything can be driven through a command‑line interface (CLI), making SimCam especially suitable for automated tests, CI pipelines, and AI agent workflows.

• Virtual camera inside the iOS Simulator: Registers as a front and back camera that any AVFoundation‑based app can discover and use without code changes.
• Multiple source types: Switch between the Mac’s own camera, pre‑recorded videos, still images, or dynamically generated QR codes.
• QR code generation and injection: Create QR codes from strings or tokens on the fly and inject them into the camera feed, eliminating the need to point a physical phone at a screen.
• CLI for automation and AI agents: The simcamctl command lets scripts, CI jobs, and AI agents change camera sources, generate QR codes, and read diagnostics with no manual clicking.
• Standard AVFoundation compatibility: SimCam uses the same APIs that a real camera would, so most camera‑related code (photo capture, video streaming, barcode scanning) runs unmodified.
• Front and back camera simulation: Apps that toggle between cameras see a realistic dual‑camera experience directly in the simulator.

1. Download and install: Get the latest SimCam build from simcam.swmansion.com and drag it into your macOS Applications folder. Grant the necessary screen/camera permissions when prompted.
2. Launch the iOS Simulator: Open your app in Xcode’s Simulator as you normally would. SimCam automatically registers itself as an available camera.
3. Select a camera source: Open SimCam’s interface (or use the CLI) and pick a source: Mac camera, an image file, a video clip, or a QR code string.
4. Test your app: Run your app’s camera‑dependent features (scanning, capturing, recording). The feed will behave like a real device camera.
5. Automate with simcamctl: For scripting, use simcamctl to switch sources, generate new QR codes on the fly, and query the current feed state—ideal for CI and AI agents.
6. Integrate into workflows: Call the CLI from shell scripts, Makefiles, or your CI configuration to drive camera tests headlessly.

SimCam offers a straightforward pricing model with a free evaluation tier and a one‑time purchase Pro license. The trial lets you verify compatibility, while the Pro plan unlocks all features permanently.

• Trial: $0 per month. Includes a built‑in demo video source to confirm that SimCam works with your app. No credit card required.
• Pro: $19 one‑time payment. Lifetime license with no recurring fees. Unlocks all source types (Mac camera, image, video, QR code), front and back camera simulation, CLI and agent support, and 12 months of free updates.

Disclaimer: Pricing may change over time. For the most up‑to‑date details, visit the official SimCam website.

• macOS application: Runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, providing the virtual camera and a simple source‑selection interface.
• Command‑line interface (simcamctl): A dedicated CLI binary that can be scripted or invoked by AI agents, available in the same installation.
• iOS Simulator integration: No separate plugin needed; SimCam hooks into the simulator’s camera stack at the system level.
• AVFoundation‑compatible apps: Works with any iOS app that uses standard AVFoundation APIs for camera input, covering the vast majority of camera‑using apps.

• Pre‑record video scenarios for consistency: Record short video clips that trigger specific app behaviours and use them as repeatable test inputs.
• Leverage QR injection for secure flows: Generate QR codes directly from secrets or temporary tokens without ever exposing them to a camera lens.
• Get comfortable with simcamctl early: Even if you first use the GUI, explore the CLI to unlock full automation potential for CI and agent workflows.
• Combine front and back camera tests in one script: Script a sequence that switches between cameras to verify your app handles toggling gracefully.
• Run permission checks in the simulator first: Confirm that your app’s camera permission prompts appear and behave as expected before moving to physical devices.
• Keep SimCam updated: The 12‑month free update window ensures you have the latest simulator compatibility; install updates to avoid regressions.

• iOS app developers who build QR scanning, document capture, or camera‑based login features and want to test without provisioning multiple test devices.
• QA and automation engineers responsible for building reliable, camera‑dependent test suites that run nightly or on every pull request.
• Computer vision and ML teams that need controlled visual input to evaluate models integrated into iOS apps.
• Developer experience and platform teams who create polished, repeatable demos for internal showcases, sales, or public talks.
• AI agent researchers exploring how autonomous agents interact with camera‑based flows (e.g., QR authentication) in a simulator environment.
• Internal tooling teams that maintain self‑testing sample apps where camera inputs must change dynamically to simulate different real‑world conditions.