---
name: argent-ios-device-interact
description: Drive a physical iPhone through argent. Use when a physical iPhone is involved (a list-devices iOS entry with kind "device") and ONLY then; never for a simulator. For cable, trust, or signing problems read argent-ios-device-setup.
---

# Physical iPhone interaction

Read this only for a physical iPhone. `argent-device-interact` still applies for everything not listed here.

## Contract

- Observation never changes the screen; mutation may. `describe` and `await-ui-element` fail on a backgrounded target instead of re-fronting it; `await-screen-idle` returns `settled: false` with no reason. The first `describe` within a second of `button home` can still return the old tree; describe again. Gestures and `keyboard` re-front it and return `reactivated: true`; re-describe before the next step.
- `launch-app`, `open-url` and `restart-app` set the app under automation; `reinstall-app` clears it; a tool-server restart forgets it: launch again.
- Each tool's description states its own hardware limits (named keys, buttons, edge swipes, tap counts). A gated tool fails with a bare `not supported on ios device`: the fix is in the list below, not in the error.

## Tools on hardware

- Only these exist: `list-devices`, `launch-app`, `restart-app`, `reinstall-app`, `open-url`, `describe`, `screenshot`, `screenshot-diff`, `gesture-tap`, `gesture-swipe`, `gesture-custom`, `gesture-pinch`, `gesture-rotate`, `button` (`home`, `volumeUp`, `volumeDown`, `actionButton` on models that have one), `keyboard`, `await-ui-element`, `await-screen-idle`, `run-sequence`, the e2e tools, `stop-simulator-server` and `stop-all-simulator-servers` (session end). Every other device tool fails with `not supported on ios device`.
- No `rotate` (the orientation tool), `shake`, `paste`, `settings-permissions`, screen recording, `debugger-*`, `react-profiler-*`, `native-profiler-*`, `native-*`, `boot-device`: move the phone by hand, type with `keyboard`, change permissions in the phone's Settings, and debug, profile or record on a simulator.