Error: WebDriverAgent is not running on simulator + No mention On wiki

[DevGeorge]

Describe the bug WebDriverAgent fails to connect to iOS Simulator when attempting to take screenshots or interact with the UI through the mobile-mcp server, even though the simulator is running and accessible.

Configuration (please complete the following information):
Agent: Claude Code (CLI)
OS: Mac (Darwin 24.6.0)
Device used: iOS Simulator
Device version: 18.7.1
Device model: iPhone 16 Pro

To Reproduce Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Start iOS Simulator with device "iPhone 16 Pro"
2. Use mobile-mcp tool mobile_list_available_devices - successfully returns [iPhone 16 Pro]
3. Use mobile-mcp tool mobile_take_screenshot with device parameter "iPhone 16 Pro"
4. See error: "WebDriverAgent is not running on simulator, please see https://github.com/mobile-next/mobile-mcp/wiki/"
   5. No mention of WebDriverAgent on wiki

Expected behavior The mobile_take_screenshot tool should either:

1. Automatically start WebDriverAgent if it's installed but not running, OR
2. Provide clearer error messaging about how to start WebDriverAgent, OR
3. Fall back to native iOS Simulator screenshot capabilities (simctl io screenshot) that don't require WebDriverAgent

Additional Context
The simulator is confirmed running (device list works)
WebDriverAgent/Appium may not be installed on the system
The error message points to wiki but doesn't provide inline guidance
Other mobile-mcp tools like mobile_list_available_devices work correctly
The mobile-mcp server is successfully connected and operational

Possible Solutions

1. Add a health check command to verify WebDriverAgent is running before attempting operations
2. Provide better error messaging with installation instructions
3. Consider using xcrun simctl io as a fallback for basic screenshot functionality on iOS simulators
4. Add automatic WebDriverAgent startup if installed but not running

[DevGeorge]

How come you didn't use facebookidb?
https://github.com/facebook/idb

[pickle-and-pork]

There is a mention of a WebDriver on wiki though:

https://github.com/mobile-next/mobile-mcp/wiki/Getting-Started-with-iOS-Simulators

[gmegidish]

Hey @DevGeorge . Terribly sorry for the delay. I missed this ticket. The latest version of the mcp is now using mobilecli (https://github.com/mobile-next/mobilecli). It will automatically download and install webdriveragent for you on a simulator. With the new version of mobile-mcp (0.0.38), you can just use prompts like "take screenshot of all of my running simulators and tell me what's on screen", and it will download and install webdriveragent to all of these devices (if needed) and then launch them (if needed) and then take screenshot.

Can you please try again?
Sorry for the delay :<