These use Apple’s Simulator app — the iPhone preview on your Mac. Click the Simulator window first so these shortcuts apply there, not in Terminal.
Screenshot
Get to the screen you want, then:
- File → Save Screen — or press ⌘S
- A preview appears beside the Simulator. It saves to your Desktop by default.
- Hold Option while choosing File → Save Screen to pick a different folder.
Full device resolution, ready for Slack, Figma, or slides.
Record a video
Get to the starting screen, then:
- File → Record Screen — or press ⌘R (only when the Simulator window is focused, not the Prototo Terminal window)
- Use the app — scroll, tap, navigate — while it records.
- Stop with File → Stop Recording, or the stop button on the Simulator window.
The video saves to your Desktop. Hold Option when you start recording to choose another folder. You can export as MP4 or animated GIF from the preview.
⌘R in the Simulator records video. R in the Prototo Terminal window reloads your app. See Keyboard shortcuts — click the right window before you press the key.
Rounded tap indicator (for demos)
When you record or present, it helps to show where you tap — a small round circle instead of the normal arrow cursor.
With Simulator in focus (Mac menu bar):
- Features → Show Single Touch — a circle follows each click
On newer Xcode versions you may also find Simulator → Settings… → Visual indicators → Show single touches. Turn it on, then quit and reopen Simulator if the circle does not appear.
Optional: Features → Show Touch Indicators — extra feedback while you click around.
Simulator’s own File → Record Screen video sometimes does not include the round tap circle. If your saved video has no taps visible, record the Simulator window with macOS instead: press ⌘⇧5, choose Record Selected Portion, drag around the phone preview, then record.
For tap dots baked into the phone screen (useful on a physical iPhone too): in the simulated device open Settings → Developer → Show Touches (turn on Developer Mode under Settings → Privacy & Security first if iOS asks).