Supported Macs and iPhones
GhostMe depends on Apple’s current device tools, so compatibility is a combination of the Mac, Xcode, iOS, pairing, and Developer Mode.
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Mac requirements
GhostMe requires macOS 15 Sequoia or later. Both Apple silicon and Intel Macs can run the app, provided the installed Xcode release supports the connected iOS version. A network connection is needed for MapKit search and route calculation.
Xcode requirements
Install Xcode 16 or laterfrom Apple and open it once so it can finish installing device support. GhostMe calls the device-control executable inside Xcode. It does not bundle, download, or replace Apple’s device services.
New iOS releases sometimes require a newer Xcode before the phone becomes available. Updating GhostMe cannot add missing support to an older Xcode installation.
iPhone and iPad requirements
The device must be visible to Xcode, trusted by the Mac, unlocked during setup, and running with Developer Mode enabled. GhostMe reads Apple’s reported capabilities rather than maintaining a hard-coded model list, so device readiness is more useful than a list of product names.
A physical device is the point: it lets you test the actual permission prompts, background transitions, app lifecycle, and installed builds. The iOS Simulator already has its own location controls and does not need GhostMe.
USB and Wi-Fi
Use USB for initial trust and pairing. After Xcode enables network connections for the phone, it may appear over Wi-Fi on the same network. Wired playback remains the best choice for a reproducible route because a network handoff cannot interrupt the device session.
License support
One Polar lifetime license can be active on up to 3Macs. Planning remains available without a license; route playback and instant location changes require an active key. The key is stored in that Mac’s Keychain and validated at launch and every 15 minutes, with a 14-day grace period for temporary network failures.
What GhostMe does not support
- Android phones or Android emulators.
- iPhones that are not trusted and paired with the Mac.
- Location changes without Apple’s Developer Mode.
- Remote control of somebody else’s phone or account.
- Bypassing an app’s safety, fraud, or integrity checks.
For the full first-run sequence, follow the Developer Mode setup guide.
Keep reading
- How iPhone location simulation worksSee how GhostMe combines MapKit routes with Apple’s Xcode device service to simulate walking, driving, and fixed locations on a physical iPhone.
- Set up Developer Mode for location testingConnect, trust, pair, and prepare an iPhone for authorized location testing with Developer Mode, Xcode, and Apple’s device service.
- Location testing guidesPractical guides for iPhone location QA: Developer Mode, MapKit, GPS routes, geofences, permissions, physical-device testing, and safe cleanup.
- FAQsAnswers about GhostMe device support, Apple Developer Mode, route playback, location cleanup, Polar lifetime licenses, privacy, pricing, and lawful use.
- Release notesGhostMe release notes for Apple Maps routing, physical-iPhone simulation, device setup, location restoration, local route history, and licensing.