Don't launch simulator when running unittests

Question

Some background:

I have iOS application with a target configured to run unitTests. And I am running build automation tool jenkins on my MacBook which automatically builds this application and run all tests (using command line xcodebuild tool).

Everything worked fine with Xcode 4. This build automation tool was running under different user and was running all these tests.

I switched to Xcode 5 recently and it started to fail, because it can't launch Simulator.

The problem

I have a scheme UnitTests which is configured to run tests (logic tests). A I run these test using one of two methods:

• Command U in Xcode

• Or command line "/usr/bin/xcodebuild -scheme UnitTests -sdk iphonesimulator -configuration Release clean build TEST_AFTER_BUILD=YES "

In both cases, it tries to start simulator. However, per my understand it doesn't need it. Anyway it runs on top x86 and it doesn't look like any apps are installed on Simulator.

Is there a way to get rid of this pesky simulator start (because it breaks my build automation)?

Update 1

Seems to find very similar question, but can't get it working: Run logic tests in Xcode 4 without launching the simulator

Update 2

I found VERY relevant and interesting question/answer: Apple CI / Xcode Service and Jenkins

Answer 1

Using xCode 7 and xCtool.

xctool is capable of executing unit tests without the simulator.

To get this working,

1 . Update target settings to run without a host app.

Select your project --> then test target --> Set the host application to none.

2. Install xctool , if you don't have it.

brew install xctool 

3. Run the tests using terminal with xctool.

xctool -workspace yourWorkspace.xcworkspace -scheme yourScheme run-tests -sdk iphonesimulator 

Answer 2

You can create a Mac OSX Unit Test instead of an iOS unit test. This requires that you not include any iOS specific libraries in the unit tests though. You can do this via the following:

1. Select the project -> the target drop down -> "Add Target..."
2. Select "Mac OSX" -> "Other" -> "Cocoa Unit Testing Bundle"
3. Create the testing bundle as you would a normal project

You can now add sources to the unit test and run it like an iOS test without launching the simulator.