QA Testing (iOS)

Use xcodebuild + Xcode Simulator (simctl) to build, run, and stabilize iOS tests.

Primary docs: XCTest, Swift Testing, simctl, Xcode testing

Inputs to Confirm

• Xcode entrypoint: -workspace or -project
• -scheme (and optional -testPlan)
• Destination(s): simulator name + iOS runtime (or OS=latest), and whether real devices are required
• UI-test hooks: launch arguments/env toggles (stubs, demo data, auth bypass, disable animations)
• Artifact needs: xcresult, coverage, screenshots/video, logs

Quick Commands

Workflow

1. Resolve build inputs (workspace/project, scheme, testPlan, destinations).
2. Make simulator state repeatable: shutdown/erase as needed, boot, and wait for boot.
3. Run tests with artifacts enabled (-resultBundlePath); parallelize and retry only when appropriate.
4. Triage failures from the xcresult bundle; confirm flakes with repetition; quarantine with an owner and reproduction steps.

xcodebuild Patterns

• Select tests to reproduce: -only-testing:TargetTests/ClassName/testMethod and -skip-testing:TargetTests/FlakyClass.
• Prefer test plans for large suites: -testPlan <plan> (keeps device/config/runs consistent).
• Enable parallel testing when suites are isolation-safe: -parallel-testing-enabled YES (+ -maximum-parallel-testing-workers N).
• Always write a result bundle in automation: -resultBundlePath TestResults.xcresult.
• For reruns, split build and test: xcodebuild build-for-testing ... then xcodebuild test-without-building ....
• Inspect results locally: open TestResults.xcresult or xcrun xcresulttool get --path TestResults.xcresult --format json.

Flake Triage (Repetition and Retry)

• Prefer repetition to prove flake rate before adding retries.
• Use targeted reruns before suite-wide retries.

Common patterns (flags vary by Xcode version):

• Retry failing tests once in CI: -retry-tests-on-failure -test-iterations 2
• Measure flakiness until first failure: -test-iterations 50 -test-repetition-mode until-failure
• Run a single test repeatedly: -only-testing:TargetTests/ClassName/testMethod -test-iterations 20

Testing Layers

Device Matrix

• Default: simulators for PR gates; real devices for release
• Cover: one small phone, one large phone, iPad if supported
• Add OS versions only for multiple major release support

Flake Control

Use these defaults unless the project requires otherwise:

• Disable or reduce animations in UI-test builds.
• Fix locale/timezone (via launch arguments or app-level configuration).
• Stub network at the boundary (avoid real third-party calls in UI tests).
• Reset app state between tests (fresh install, deep-link reset, or explicit teardown).
• Prefer state-based waits (waitForExistence, expectations) over sleeps.
• Pre-grant/reset permissions where possible (simulators): xcrun simctl privacy booted grant ....

CI Integration (GitHub Actions)

name: iOS CI
on: [push, pull_request]
jobs:
  test:
    runs-on: macos-15
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - uses: maxim-lobanov/setup-xcode@v1
        with:
          xcode-version: "16.0"
      - run: |
          set -euo pipefail
          xcodebuild test \
            -scheme MyApp \
            -sdk iphonesimulator \
            -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 15 Pro,OS=latest' \
            -resultBundlePath TestResults.xcresult
      - uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
        if: always()
        with:
          name: test-results
          path: TestResults.xcresult

Do / Avoid

Do

• Make UI tests independent and idempotent
• Use test data builders and dedicated test accounts
• Collect xcresult bundles on failure
• Use accessibilityIdentifier, not labels

Avoid

• Relying on test ordering or global state
• UI tests requiring real network
• Thread.sleep() for synchronization
• Accepting AI-proposed selectors without validation

Resources

Templates

Related Skills