Mobdev

What the Mobdev MCP server does

The Mobdev MCP server gives AI agents a common interface for working with iPhones, iOS simulators, Android phones, and Android emulators. It runs inside the Mobdev Mac app and makes the connected devices available through 47 tools. Agents can inspect screens, interact with visible controls, launch applications, install builds, collect logs, and run repeatable flows.

The project belongs in the Developer Tools category because it targets mobile development, debugging, automated testing, and research workflows. It can also be used from the command line when an agent does not use MCP: Mobdev <tool> key=value invokes the same tool interface from a terminal or script.

How it works

An iPhone sends its screen to the Mac over USB. Mobdev performs taps and typing over Bluetooth as a keyboard and pointer, so ordinary iPhone interaction does not require an installed app, jailbreak, or Developer Mode. Developer Mode is needed for installing and debugging an iPhone build or accessing its UI tree. Simulators require Xcode, while Android devices and emulators require adb.

Agents can use screenshots, OCR-based text targeting, numbered screen observations, coordinates, accessibility identifiers, swipes, typing, and app-opening actions. Device controls include location and routes, permissions, push notifications, dark mode, text size, language, status-bar configuration, Face ID, app data, clipboard, and orientation. Availability varies by device type.

The Mobdev MCP server can communicate locally through the Mac app’s MCP and HTTP interfaces, with a stdio bridge also available. Optional remote access sends traffic through a hosted or self-hosted WebSocket relay, allowing agents on other machines to reach devices attached to the Mac.

Setup and configuration

Download the signed Mac app from the project site or build it from the macos directory with MOBDEV_VARIANT=release scripts/build-app.sh. For iPhone use, connect the phone by USB, pair it over Bluetooth, and enable AssistiveTouch with Snap to Item disabled. The app provides setup guidance. Without an iPhone, select the simulators-and-Android-only option during onboarding.

Claude Code users can install the repository’s plugin, which adds the MCP server and agent skills. Other MCP clients use the setup described in the macOS documentation. Remote use requires an access token from the hosted dashboard or a separately operated relay.

Tools and capabilities

The Mobdev MCP server supports these documented areas:

• Screen observation, screenshots, OCR, taps, swipes, typing, and accessibility-based interaction
• Installing builds, launching apps with arguments or environment values, and opening deep links
• Logs, crash reports, screen recordings, and iPhone connection diagnosis
• Device state changes such as permissions, location, appearance, language, clipboard, and orientation
• Agent-authored tests and flows, with replay support and CI output in JUnit and Markdown formats
• Guard rails that prevent blocked applications from being opened or launched

A GitHub Action can run Mobdev tests or flows on an iOS simulator and publish results to the job summary. Repository skills also cover development loops, smoke tests, bug reproduction, store screenshots, onboarding audits, and competitor research.

Limitations and notes

Mobdev is an early release. The project reports hardware verification for several iOS features, while Android phones have not been tried; Android emulators and an Android 16 emulator are verified. Multiple iPhones connected to one Mac receive separate Bluetooth connections, but using two iPhones simultaneously has not been tested. The app requires macOS 26 or newer according to the repository layout, and simulator or Android workflows depend on Xcode or adb as applicable.

Mobdev is MIT licensed and is an independent project, not affiliated with Apple, TapKit, or MobAI.