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Device MCP

AI Agents

MCP

Connect Claude Code, Codex, Cursor or any MCP client to Device MCP, so your AI agent can see, tap, type and test on your iPhone and iPad.

Device MCP connects your AI coding agent to your real iPhone and iPad. Your agent can look at the screen, tap and type, open apps, build your project and test it on the device, all from a normal conversation.

1. What is Device MCP's MCP Server?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is the open standard that AI agents use to talk to tools. Device MCP has an MCP server built in, so Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and other MCP-compatible agents can drive your device the way you do.

The server runs on your Mac only. Your screen and your apps never leave your Mac, except what you ask your agent to look at. See Privacy & Security.

✅ Example Prompts

  • Take a screenshot of my iPhone and tell me what's on screen.
  • Open Settings and turn on Dark Mode.
  • Build my app, run it on the iPad and check that the login screen works.
  • Sign in with the test account, add an item to the cart and check the total.
  • My app crashed on the device. Find the crash report and fix the bug.
  • Open myapp://profile and take a screenshot.
  • Record a video of the onboarding flow.

2. Benefits

BenefitDescription
Test on real hardwareYour agent tests on a real iPhone or iPad, with real performance, sensors and system prompts.
Closed-loop developmentEdit, build, run, tap, screenshot, fix: your agent checks its own work without you.
It sees what you seeYour agent reads the words and buttons on screen, so it can tap Sign In by name.
You stay in chargeRisky actions ask first, every action is logged, and you can take over anytime.
Works with your agentClaude Code, Codex, Cursor and any other MCP client.

3. How to add Device MCP to your agent

  1. Turn on the MCP Server
    • Open Device MCP → Settings → MCP.
    • Turn on Enable MCP Server.
  2. Copy the setup for your agent: in Settings → MCP → MCP Configuration, choose Claude Code, Codex or Manual, then click Copy. The same setup is in the Agent tab of the Inspector.
  3. Add it to your agent with the steps below.

Claude Code

Run this in Terminal:

claude mcp add --scope user device-mcp -- "/Applications/Device MCP.app/Contents/MacOS/device-mcp"

--scope user makes Device MCP available in all of your projects.

Codex

Add this to ~/.codex/config.toml:

[mcp_servers.device-mcp]
command = "/Applications/Device MCP.app/Contents/MacOS/device-mcp"
startup_timeout_sec = 30
tool_timeout_sec = 900

Cursor and other MCP clients

Add this to your client's MCP settings:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "device-mcp": {
      "command": "/Applications/Device MCP.app/Contents/MacOS/device-mcp",
      "args": []
    }
  }
}
  1. Start using Device MCP
    • Keep Device MCP open with your device connected.
    • Ask your agent, for example: "List my devices and take a screenshot."

4. What your agent can do

AreaWhat your agent can do
DevicesList your connected devices, choose one and read its details.
See the screenTake screenshots and read the text and buttons on screen.
TouchTap, tap on text, double tap, long press, swipe, scroll and pinch.
TypeType text, press keys and hide the keyboard.
SystemPress Home, Lock, volume and Siri, open Control Center or the App Switcher, and rotate.
AppsList, launch, quit, install and uninstall apps, and open links.
Build & RunBuild your Xcode project and launch it on the device. See Build & Run.
DebugRead crash reports and download an app's data.
RecordStart and stop a screen recording.
Ask youAsk you to step in, for example for Face ID or a passcode. See Human Handoff.

Your MCP client shows the full list of tools for your version of Device MCP.

5. Stay in control

  • Approvals: installing or removing apps, building, opening links and downloading app data ask you first. See Approvals.
  • Activity: every action your agent takes is listed in the Agent tab. See Agent Activity.
  • Agent is driving: the status at the bottom of the mirror, and a ✨ next to the device in the sidebar, show when an agent is using the device.
  • Take over anytime: your clicks and keystrokes always go through, even while an agent works.