# iphone-use [Health: Active]

**Category:** 🖥️ OS Automation  
**Repository:** https://github.com/leeguooooo/iphone-use  
**GitHub Stars:** 323  
**Views:** 0  
**Installs:** 0  
**Upvotes:** 0  
**Directory Page:** https://allmcps.com/mcp/iphone-use

## Description
Lets AI agents drive a real iPhone over USB or Wi-Fi: read the screen, tap, type, swipe and replay app flows. Self-hosted on macOS.

## Claude Desktop Quick Installation
No confirmed install details yet, so no config is published. Follow the setup steps in the repository above.

## Documentation

## What iphone-use does

iphone-use connects an AI agent to a physical iPhone rather than to a simulator or a web API. The agent can open apps by name, inspect visible interface text, tap controls, enter text, swipe, and perform workflows in apps such as Health, banking, messaging, Notes, and apps under test. Because interaction happens through the device interface, the target app does not need to expose an API.

The server reports action outcomes, including whether an action was applied, not sent, or uncertain, and whether retrying is considered safe. It refuses taps on covered elements instead of reporting them as successful. A completed task can also become a replayable flow that runs without another model interaction or additional tokens.

## How it works

A daemon runs on the Mac for one connected phone. It communicates with an XCTest runner installed on the iPhone and receives the screen as an accessibility tree containing text and interface elements. The daemon waits for the screen to settle before returning an action result. MCP clients communicate with the daemon, while scripts and other agents can use its HTTP interface.

The initial connection uses a USB cable. After setup, the phone can be controlled over Wi-Fi through an encrypted tunnel. People can use the same daemon from a browser or the iOS app, with a live H.264 view and controls for tapping, swiping, long-pressing, scrolling, and typing. Agent and human access is shared through the daemon, with one holding control at a time.

## Setup and configuration

The iphone-use MCP server runs on macOS 15 or later and requires Xcode signed in to an Apple ID. The iPhone must use iOS 15 or later, have Developer Mode enabled, and be unlocked and connected by USB for the first setup. Run the installer from the repository, then use `iphone-use doctor` to identify missing requirements and `iphone-use setup` to configure the phone.

Useful commands include `iphone-use status` to check readiness, `iphone-use try` to perform a harmless Settings check, `iphone-use login` to sign in to the browser control page again, and `iphone-use upgrade` to update the installation. The installer can register the server with Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, and Claude Desktop when those clients are present. Set `IPHONE_USE_NO_CLIENT_SETUP=1` to skip setup for Cursor and Claude Desktop.

Some setup steps require direct action on the Mac or phone, including Apple ID sign-in in Xcode, trusting the computer, enabling Developer Mode, and unlocking the iPhone. The project also provides plugins for Codex and Claude Code, but those plugins still require the main installation and device setup.

## Tools and capabilities

- Read the iPhone screen as text and accessibility elements.
- Launch an app by its name.
- Tap visible controls and report the result.
- Type long text, with input of up to 20,000 characters in one step.
- Swipe, scroll, and navigate across pages.
- Replay a recorded flow in one call.
- Expose a browser and iOS control view for human operation.
- Show the live device view where MCP Apps are supported.

## Limitations and notes

The iphone-use MCP server requires Apple hardware and an iPhone; it does not operate the Mac’s screen, cursor, or focus. Initial setup needs a USB cable, Xcode, an Apple ID, and actions on the unlocked phone. Wi-Fi control is available after the device has been set up over USB.

Screen access is based on the iPhone’s accessibility tree rather than pixel-only interpretation. Apps and screens that expose limited accessibility information may therefore provide less readable content. The project states support for iOS 15 and later and macOS 15 and later. Keep credentials and private account data out of support inquiries.

_Full upstream README: https://allmcps.com/mcp/iphone-use/readme_