How to Use a Windows iPhone Emulator

Downloading and Using an Emulator

1. Download an iPhone application testing tool designed for Windows. A product called MobiOne is gaining in popularity, available for download from Genuitec. MobiOne is an easy way to install an iPhone emulator, but there are other options available (see Resources).

2. Install MobiOne on your Windows-based PC. You'll want to use the MobiOne Test Center, which includes the iPhone emulator.

3. Click on the dark green icon on the far right side of the menu bar. This is the icon with the three Wi-Fi waves. This will open the iPhone emulator.

4. Enter the URL of the website or web application you are wanting to emulate in the iPhone URL field.

5. Click around the application or website you are testing. An effective iPhone emulator will allow you to accurately mock the behavior of an actual iPhone device, so you can easily debug your application.

6. Test the zoom-in and zoom-out friendliness of your application by using Control+mouse click. This will allow you to 'pinch and zoom' in the emulator.

7. Rotate the on-screen iPhone canvas to see how your application will look in landscape mode. Accomplish this by clicking the small rotate icon in the toolbar.

Using Online Emulators

8. Open your Internet browser. Web-based emulators will work most effectively on Internet browsers Explorer, Firefox, Safari or Google Chrome.

9. Enter the URL of a website that does iPhone emulation. Examples include iPhone App Testers, Testing For Success and iPhone Tester.

10. Type in the URL of the website or web application in the iPhone emulator's address bar. This will allow you to start using the emulator.

11. Click around inside the application or website you are testing. Online emulators are limited in their function -- as most can't pinch or zoom -- but will provide you with easy click testing and link-checking.