How to install ios apps on pc. The best iOS emulators for Windows

Do you want to use any iOS app but don't have an iPhone? Don’t worry, as today I will be sharing how you can iOS apps in your PC/Computer using iPhone Emulators. I was getting many queries regarding best iOS Emulator For Windows using which one can run iOS apps in Windows. So, If you are looking for the same, Keep reading the article as I will list all iOS based Emulators which is available for Windows platform.

What is iOS Emulator?

An iOS emulator is a software that enables one computer system, known as the host to behave like another Operating System, called the guest by enabling the host system to run the software or use devices that are originally developed to be used by that particular OS. Putting things in perspective for this specific discussion, an iOS emulator will enable a windows based computer to emulate or imitate an iOS based device through certain specific programs that have been specially created for this purpose. Through the use of these emulators the app developers can test their programs before coming out with commercial versions of the same as well it allows the users of windows to use these towards using the iOS games or apps or to create iOS apps on their PCs.

iOS Emulator VS iOS Simulator

Although these two words ‘Emulator’ and ‘Simulator’ is understood to be meaning the same, in actuality, these are quite different from each other. To put it simply, emulators actually mimic the software and hardware environments found on the corresponding host devices, whereas the simulators only mimic the software environment. Towards that end, Simulation is generally used for analysis and study whereas Emulation is used for using a particular device as a substitute or to get the exact experience as that of the device that is being emulated. Therefore, it will be quite correct to say that an Emulator is a combination of hardware and software, thereby providing more realistic behavior whereas the Simulator is only software based. One analogy, to understand the subtle difference between the two could be to imagine that you are trying to tell your friend that it will be fun to jump in an ice cold pool. To simulate it, you pretend to jump into the pool yourself and enjoy the cold water by enacting how it would feel. To emulate the same, you actually jump into the pool.

Advantages Of iOS Emulator

There are various advantages of using iOS emulators and that is a proof of the fact that there are multiple emulators now available with their numbers ever increasing. Some of the distinct advantages of using iOS simulators are the following:

  • These emulators can be used during the development process for testing the various apps.
  • The emulators can be easily run on multiple devices.
  • Emulators obviously facilitate the users to experience an OS that they could not otherwise afford due to its high costs.
  • Emulators can help the undecided customers to first have a look and feel and the actual experience of using a particular iOS device before deciding whether they would like to buy it or not.

I think you have already got enough idea about emulators & simulators. – What they are and how it will serve your purpose. So, Let's discuss about best iOS/iPad Emulator for Windows without any delay now.

There are dozens of emulators for iOS available for Windows PC and it's really very difficult for most of us to find the best one for our personal use. But don’t worry as our team had researched about iOS Emulators & simulators in-depth before writing this article, so that you can easily select best iPhone emulator for Windows PC from the below list.

Best iOS Emulator for Windows 7/8/8.1/10:

although with the rapid development of technology and the interconnectivity of operating systems, there are various programs that have been developed to work as iOS emulators; the following are some of the better-known ones that have been received quite well by its users.

MobiOne Studio

MobiOne is considered among the most versatile and easy to use software that allows the users to emulate various iOS apps with ease as well as developing iOS applications. This program has been downloaded by more than half a million designers and developers since its launch in 2009 and has multiple unique capabilities such as customized user interface templates that use the drag and drop function for both portrait and landscape orientations that can also be modified. Through the App Sync technology, MobiOne also supports large sized apps for review and testing. Through the use of common text messaging, users can also transfer their apps directly to any mobile device.


Update – This iPhone Emulator is officially discontinued now but you can still install it in your computer by downloading EXE file of it from third party sites.

smart face

Smart face is among the most popular iOS emulators that offer basic functions for Windows OS and allows the users to develop unlimited apps absolutely free of cost. It is extremely easy to use this program too. All that one needs to do is to install the app on the host device through the app store and then connect it to the windows system. It is important that the Windows device should have the iTunes installed so that the two systems can work in sync. Once the iOS is emulated onto the Windows device, the developers can then develop native applications through Smart Face. There is also the function to debug your apps with useful debugging features such as real time code changes and breakpoints etc. As an app developing software the program is quite adept at providing the capability to the users to test the applications in various iOS environments. Although we are discussing only the iOS in this article, it is worth while to know that Smart face can also be used with the Android platform with equal efficiency.

Air iPhone Emulator

Air iPhone Emulator is widely regarded to be among the top programs to create extremely realistic emulation effects. This program functions with the support of the Adobe Air framework that recreates the Graphical User Interface or GUI of the selected iOS on the Windows platform computers. This program is of great importance to the developers who can upload their newly developed applications to the Air iPhone emulator before releasing it to see how it looks and feels like. Although there are various features available on this emulator, some core applications such as the Safari Web browser are not available and that constraints its use. Air iPhone emulator was originally designed to allow users to make and receive free calls through Ribbit, a telecommunications service that was used mostly by developers to connect with telephone networks. Ribbit was acquired by BT in 2008 and the communication features are no more functional.


iPhone Simulator

The iPhone simulator works on the flash and is considered among the foremost apps when it comes to the ease of use and the brilliance of the interface. Although this app does not give access to some crucial iPhone apps such as the App Store or the Safari browser, it is still quite handy when it comes to having an access to the other more popular applications such as notepad, clock, calculator etc. Whereas it seems that this simulator is using the iOS, it is basically a flash application and has its natural limitations. Although this program might not be very useful for the app developers for advanced features such as debugging etc., it is still quite handy for those that want to experience the iOS environment before deciding to invest in an iOS device.

iPadian

As the name suggests, iPadian is a software program for Pcs that are running Windows XP or higher to easily launch an alternative desktop that looks like an iPad screen. In the true sense, therefore, iPadian is not really a true emulator, but rather a simulator. iPadian is actually a desktop application that is based on the Adobe Air platform and cannot run without that being first installed on the computer. Since it is not possible to access many of the native iOS apps on the iPadian, it comes with its own app store which is a set of apps that can run on windows and give the user a feeling of using the iOS apps. iPadian also has some major interface challenges since it tries and emulates the iPad which has a touch interface and when it is rendered on PC, it doesn’t quite give the same experience to the users since the touch screen swipe function cannot be perfectly emulated.


Some features of iPadian for PC:

  1. Free version of iPadian can give you basic iOS feel for free.
  2. Access to customized store App Store in free version.
  3. In premium version, you can use any app freely with the Apple App Store.
  4. Premium version is totally ad free.
  5. Moreover, it's cheap also. (Premium version is available for 10$ only).

How to Install iPadian in Your Windows Computer:

  1. First of all, Download iPadian from above link.
  2. Double, Click on installation file which you have downloaded in above step.
  3. Follow, on screen options and Click on Next accordingly.
  4. Once, you have successfully installed iPadian in your PC, you can follow further steps to run iOS apps in your Windows Computer.

How to run iOS Apps in Windows 7/8/8.1 PC by iPadian:

Once, you have successfully installed iPadian in your Windows Computer. You will see iPadian icon on desktop.

  • Simply, do a double click on iPadian icon.
  • Now from their interface, simply click on store.
  • Download your favorite apps from there and enjoy iOS emulator on PC.

Xamarin Testflight

Xamarin Testflight is one of the best iOS based emulators for windows. In terms of developer support, I have to say that Xamarin Testflight is to give a try once. Thought, its paid emulator for Windows, but believe me it's worth it.

In this post, I will not cover how to setup this emulator as a developer of Xamarin Testflight has written detailed tutorial on the same on their official blog.

Appetize.io

Appetize.Io is one of the best iOS Emulators for Windows. Note that it is cloud based emulator and you can not download it in your PC/Computer. Earlier, there was an iPhone emulator known as App.io but it is not available any more. So, if you are looking for App.io alternative, then Appetize.io is a must-try.

It is available for free for the first 100 minutes per month. After that you will be charged $0.05 per minute which is very reasonable too. Note that you will not be able to install any app in the emulator as it's demo based but you can test .ipa files in it.

To use it, just upload .ipa file in the upload form and enter your email address. You will get a link in your mail inbox. Just click on it to test your .ipa file in the Appetize.io online Emulator.

Final Words

We can easily derive from the above article that whereas it is not possible for many people to afford the iPhones or other Apple devices due to their high cost and availability in certain geography, it should not inhibit people from being able to access the look and feel and the experience of using a high-end Apple device. Through the use of these emulators, one can easily access a virtual Apple device on their Windows desktops in a matter of minutes and free of cost and can easily use iOS apps on their Windows PC. It is also a great tool for the app developers to develop and test their apps in the real OS environment and fine tune them before launching.

The programs discussed below are suitable for those who simply want to install and work with programs for and or developers for software testing.

emulator is a special utility with which you can create a software environment for another operating system on your computer.

In most cases, such emulators are used by developers for software testing purposes.

Regular users rarely work with emulators, however, in recent years, the demand for such software has grown.

Below is a table with all the applications from the TOP, with which you can determine the basic features and requirements of the emulator:

Place in the ranking: Name: i version supportOS: Spreading:
1 iPadian 2iOS 10 and 11Paid and free version
2 Air iPhone EmulatoriOS 8 and aboveFor free
3 Xamarin TestflightAll versionsPaid
4 Appetize.IOIOS 11 and upFor free
5 smart faceAll versionsPaid and free versions
6 MobiOne StudioiOS 8For free
7 iPhone SimulatoriOS 7For free

iPadian 2

iPadian 2 is the most popular iOS emulator that replicates the iPadian interface in a very realistic way.

The main feature of the application is its focus on the average user.

While most emulators are designed for developers, iPadian does not have complex settings and looks like (for).

The paid and free versions of the emulator are available to users.

The difference with the premium version is only in the absence of ads and pop-up tips for working with the app store.

iPadian 2 features:

  • Complete imitation iOS . The owner of the emulator has access to all the settings and interface of the mobile platform. You can create your Apple ID and start using the operating system just like you would on a regular smartphone or tablet;
  • Access to applications in . You can download and install a program that is compatible with the OS version you are using;
  • After installing the program, it is added to the computer . Clicking on the shortcut will open the emulator and launch the software you need.
  • System load. The operation of any emulator can cause Windows to freeze and interfere with the operation of other software;
  • The interface is not translated into Russian.

“I useiPadian2 few months. All applications work fine, the system does not freeze. Runs simple games likeAngrybirdsorCuttherope. Recommend to those who want to testiOSon the computer desktop.

Air iPhone Emulator

Air iPhone is a compact iOS emulator for desktop computers.

The interface is a small window with an image.

By pressing the buttons on the virtual display, the "telephone" is controlled.

Among the advantages of the program, one can single out a complete imitation of IOS 9.

Thanks to the unusual design of the emulator, a realistic impression of using the "apple" OS is created.

Program functions:

  • Support for popular applications for instant messengers, social networks and games. As in the case of the previous emulator, in Air iPhone, developers can only rewrite existing programs so that they are available to work on the user's computer;
  • The function of making and receiving voice calls in instant messengers is available. Also, the user can create new contacts, add them to the iCloud phone book;
  • All taps and gestures are the same as in a regular iPhone. To open the notification area, swipe up and down the screen with your mouse. To unlock the desktop, move the slider that appears on the screen to the right.
  • Simple interface;
  • Distributed free of charge;
  • Support for software gestures.
  • Most apps from the App Store don't work;
  • No support for the last two generations of IOS;
  • There is no Russian language.

“I liked the creative idea to make the screen of the program in the form of an iPhone. Convenient to use with other applicationsWindows. The system does not freeze even if you run games and download something from the Internet at the same time.

Xamarin Testflight

Xamarin Testflight is an application for .

In addition to supporting the Swift programming language, the developer can test the programs in real time.

To do this, you need to open the built-in emulator.

After launching a virtual smartphone, you can not only work out the functionality of the program being created, but also go to the mobile desktop window or the App Store (for this you need to have a pre-created and activated account).

The main feature of Xamarin is the constant support of the developer.

Updates come regularly, which allows you to work with the latest versions of IOS.

At the moment, users can use firmware iOS 8 and higher.

Old platform versions are not supported.

  • No ads;
  • Russian language available;
  • Fully working App Store;
  • Support for the latest firmware
  • The interface can cause difficulties for users who have not previously encountered a development environment;
  • Distributed only on a paid basis;
  • Takes up a lot of hard disk space (minimum 3-4 GB).

"Put a trial versionXamarindfor writing university programs. I liked the design of the code and hints, as well as the ability to open the iPhone emulator. At first, for a long time, I just flipped through the windows of the system and downloaded various programs from the store. I recommend it for both programmers and ordinary users.

Appetize.IO

Appetize is a free online service that allows you to get familiar with the iOS interface on iPhone.

Also, the developers provide an open API.

In the future, other developers or simply owners of their web resources can integrate smartphone emulation with IOS into any project.

The service is suitable for those who do not pursue the goal of installing programs and working with them.

The site will be useful in order to get acquainted with the appearance and interface features of the latest version of iOS.

Main features of Appetize:

  • The ability to embed the emulator on a website, blog, application program window;
  • Saved all the gestures with which the user interacts with the OS.
  • You cannot install third-party applications in the emulator window, but it is possible to get acquainted with the work of standard software, open and go to any site with it.

    Such a function will be useful for site designers who need to quickly check the functionality on IOS.

    • Online access;
    • Ability to use API functions;
    • Realistic transfer of all functions of the mobile firmware.
    • There is only English;
    • You can not install programs from the store;
    • Previous steps are not saved the next time you start.

    "LaunchedAppetize. Interesting interface implementationiOS. For everyday use, of course, it will not work, but for getting acquainted with standard applications, this is a very convenient thing.

    smart face

    SmartFace is another good .development tool.

    Of the features, we can highlight the ability to choose emulation of different devices (or IPhone).

    The user can download a paid (full) or trial version with limited functionality.

    If you are a regular user who just wants to test the mobile version of iOS, the restrictions will not interfere with the use of the emulator.

    • You cannot install third-party applications - you can either test your own developments or open standard software;
    • Consumes a large amount of RAM resources;
    • The free version has a trial period of use (30 days).

    "Good utility. It was not possible to use it to install programs, but this is one of those few emulators with which you can test new firmware without installing it on your phone.

    MobiOne Studio

    Mobi Studio is a simple environment for developing programs for apple gadgets.

    To date, the project is officially closed, so updates cannot be installed for the studio.

    Among the features are quick installation and free distribution.

    After installing the program, open its shortcut.

    An image of an iPhone will appear in the main window of the application, on both sides of which there are various developer tools.

    You can interact with the iOS emulation using the cursor. The supported firmware version is iOS 8.

    • Ease of use of the emulator;
    • Ability to test all windows and iOS 8 settings;
    • Economical consumption of RAM and permanent memory resources.
    • , use iPadian 2, Air iPhone, iPhone Simple Emulator.

      For developers and those who want to test the new firmware version, we recommend Xamarin, SmartFace, Mobi Studio.

      Also, you can get acquainted with the functionality of the system using the Appetize.IO online emulator.

      To date, the most functional emulator is iPadian 2 . Only with its help you can get acquainted with the OS interface and install applications for social networks, instant messengers, video hosting and popular games.

    Not every person has at their disposal a device on the iOS operating system or the money to buy it. What to do when you need to somehow run a toy or program from this system without the presence of the system itself? The answer is to use an iOS emulator on a PC. In today's article, we'll take a look at as many as seven iOS emulators for Windows.

    iPadian 2

    Why don't we start the list with iPadian 2, the most popular iOS emulator. With this emulator, users can access the tenth and eleventh versions of iOS. It's worth noting that some of the emulators on this list are intended primarily for use by app developers, but iPadian 2 is aimed at the more casual user who wants to access the apps and games they need from iOS.

    Another rather interesting feature of the iPadian 2 is that it completely mimics iOS, which means that you can easily register your Apple ID and start using Apple services without having a branded device. Among other things, this also means that you have access to the App Store. It is worth noting that applications installed from the store through the emulator will also be displayed on your computer, and if you want to run them, the emulator will open.

    Pros:

    • full imitation of operating systems iOS 10 and iOS 11;
    • it is possible to install OTA updates for the system;

    Minuses:

    • not all applications are available to run and work through the emulator;
    • high consumption of system resources when the emulator is running;
    • knowledge of English is required.

    Air iPhone Emulator

    Air iPhone Emulator is a fairly compact program that can emulate the iOS 8 and iOS 9 operating systems. It should be noted right away that the program is distributed free of charge, so absolutely any interested user can try it out. Air iPhone Emulator is definitely for you if you want to get the most authentic iOS experience, because the interface of this program mimics the real iPhone.

    The pretty cool features of this emulator include support for real voice calls for messenger apps, the ability to create contacts linked to iCloud, as well as the presence of controls that are present on a real iPhone, i.e. various tapas, swipes and curtains.

    Unfortunately, as with the previous emulator on this list, not every application from the App Store can run on the Air iPhone Emulator. Developers need to personally rewrite the code of applications already released for the system so that they can interact with Windows. However, you will have access to the most popular applications on this platform.

    Pros:

    • iPhone-like user interface, which makes it much easier to use;
    • absolutely free program;
    • the presence of authentic control using familiar gestures on a smartphone.

    Minuses:

    • again, only those applications from the App Store that the developers have rewritten to work on Windows will work on the emulator;
    • it is not possible to work with iOS 10 and iOS 11 operating systems;
    • no Russian localization.

    Xamarin TestFlight

    The Xamarin TestFlight emulator is primarily designed for iOS software developers. If you are a regular user who just wants to access a particular program on this platform, then you should definitely take a look at the other emulators on the list.

    Perhaps the main feature of Xamarin TestFlight is the ability to test the program being developed in real time: you can literally develop your application, and then instantly go to the emulated smartphone and check the things you need. Few software can do this.

    Among other things, do not forget that Xamarin TestFlight is constantly maintained by its developer, i.e. updates and fixes are released periodically for the program. You will also definitely be pleased that Xamarin TestFlight is made entirely in Russian.

    Pros:

    • no paid features, components or ads;
    • the presence of the Russian language;
    • among the functions you will also find access to the App Store;
    • there is support for the latest iOS firmware version.

    Minuses:

    • designed for software developers;
    • paid software;
    • Xamarin TestFlight can weigh several gigabytes, so it's definitely not compact.

    Appetize.IO

    If you just want to get familiar with the standard functionality of the iOS operating system and its user interface, then the Appetize.IO emulator will definitely suit you, which does not even need to be installed on your PC, as it is an online service. Unfortunately, given the nature of Appetize.IO, you won't be able to install third party software and only work with standard apps and features.

    Pros:

    • the emulator does not need to be installed on the computer;
    • accurate transfer of the interface and functionality of the iOS operating system;
    • users can embed Appetize.IO into their web resources or application software.

    Minuses:

    • no Russian localization;
    • no access to the App Store;
    • all your actions in the Appetize.IO service are not recorded or saved in any way.

    smart face

    SmartFace is another good development environment for the iOS operating system. The most notable feature of SmartFace is that the user can emulate not only the iPhone, but also the iPad. There is a paid and free version of the program. Using the free version, you will get limited functionality, the presence of ads and the inability to use custom libraries. If you are an ordinary user who wants to see what iOS is like, then you can safely use the free version of the program.

    Pros:

    • fairly easy to use user interface;
    • among the functions there is a hot key for calling the program window;
    • the presence of Russian localization for the emulator;
    • SmartFace is able to work with the latest versions of iOS.

    Minuses:

    • there is no possibility to install third-party software;
    • a huge amount of RAM must be allocated for SmartFace to work;
    • unfortunately, the free version of the program has a thirty-day trial period.

    MobiOne Studio

    MobiOne Studio is the latest and arguably the simplest of the iOS development environments on this list. The main advantage is the extremely fast installation on Windows. Among other things, you will be pleased that MobiOne Studio is distributed free of charge.

    The interface is somewhat similar to the Air iPhone Emulator: when you open MobiOne Studio, you will see a window with a toolbox located on the left and right sides, and an iPhone image in the center. Unfortunately, there is only support for iOS 8 and the developer stopped supporting the project a long time ago, so you should not wait for updates.

    Pros:

    • incredibly simple interface;
    • consumes extremely few system resources during operation;
    • MobiOne Studio is quite compact and takes up little disk space;
    • despite only supporting iOS 8, you will be able to access almost all the windows and functions of this version of the OS.

    Minuses:

    • the developer has officially stopped supporting the project and it no longer receives updates;
    • the user interface of MobiOne Studio is made only in English;
    • there is no possibility to install applications from the App Store;

    iPhone Simulator

    And we've reached the end of our list. iPhone Simple Emulator is one of the most basic emulators in this article. If you decide to use this program, then know that you will have at your disposal an extremely limited functionality of the iOS 7 operating system. Yes, that's right, only the seventh iteration of this OS is available. Surprisingly, through the iPhone Simple Emulator, you can interact with the App Store and even install programs from there. Among other things, you can use the browser.

    Pros:

    • quite stylish design, made in the form of an iPhone;
    • the emulator consumes extremely few system resources and takes up little disk space;
    • many applications can be installed.

    Minuses:

    • no Russian localization;
    • only iOS 7 is available for emulation;
    • you won't be able to open settings.

    Finally

    Unfortunately, on the Internet you can find only a few emulators that can fully emulate a particular iOS operating system. It's also disappointing that on these emulators you can't just go to the store and download the app you want. Let's take a look at Android OS emulators - the situation is completely different there.

    So, if you want to use an iOS emulator specifically for applications, then iPadian 2, Air iPhone, iPhone Simple Emulator is your choice. For software developers, all other development environments on this list. Yes, through them you can also get acquainted with the interface and functions of iOS, but if you only need this, use the Appetize.IO online service.

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    The iOS platform is always stereotyped with “class” due to the mind-blowing features, applications, and games that come with it. And everyone wants to enjoy these features provided by Apple Inc.

    But that may not be the case for everyone. As you all know, Apple products don't come cheap.

    That being said, there are a good number of iOS apps that people want to enjoy on their Windows 10 or Mac but most of these apps have not been customized for use on the desktop or .

    As part of our objective to provide you with solutions and tools that enrich your Windows experience, we will show you how to access the best PC.

    To do so, you will need to download and install an iOS emulator compatible with Windows 10. In this article, we will introduce you to the best iOS emulators, which you can use to run your favorite iOS apps and games on Windows 10 PC.

    Which are the best iOS emulators and simulators for Windows 10?

    1. iPadian iOS Emulator for Windows 10

    iPadian iOS emulator is arguably the best iOS emulator for Windows 10. Fans of would really love the iPadian to access iOS apps on their Windows PC since it provides the real iPad interface on Windows.

    App icons, gestures, and background give an untainted iPad experience. iPadian comes with all the popular apps such as Twitter, Instagram, and many other apps pre-installed.

    It also features a customized apps store from where you can access all your iOS apps on Windows. Other features that you find on iPad such as dashboard, dock, and sidebars are also available on this emulator.

    iPadian is the best iOS emulator for playing iOS games on a Windows computer. It can also be used on and Mac OS X systems. Apart from the pre-installed apps, iPadian also comes with pre-installed games.

    An overview of emulator programs for running iOS applications on a desktop computer or laptop.

    Navigation

    Many fans of the firm's software Apple, who for some reason cannot afford to buy an "apple" gadget, are often interested in whether it is possible to install "apple" software on a regular computer or laptop running an operating system from the family Windows?

    VIDEO: iPadian iPhone Emulator

    2. Air iPhone Emulator

    VIDEO: Air iPhone Emulator

    3.SmartFace

    • The following emulator is an excellent tool for developing applications for the operating system iOS. A distinctive feature of this program is the ability to select a device for emulation ( iPad or iPhone).
    • SmartFace is presented both in a paid version and in a free version with a trial period on 30 days. Also, the program does not have the ability to download applications from the store. AppStore. You can either use standard OS tools or run your own applications.

    VIDEO: SmartFace

    IMPORTANT: All of the emulators presented above require a large amount of system resources and their use can lead to freezing of the computer's operating system. Before installing any of them, make sure your computer has at least 4 GB random access memory.

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