Guide

Installation Guide

Last updated: July 16, 2026

Everything you need to go from download to your first automation — about 15 minutes of setup, most of it automatic. Follow the steps in order; each one is required only once. Prefer a walkthrough? Watch the video tutorial.

Before you start

• A Mac with Apple Silicon or Intel running macOS 13.5 or later
• An iPhone and a USB cable
• An Apple ID — a free one is enough, no paid developer account needed
• Around 20 GB of free disk space (Xcode is large)
• Your Icemoon activation code from the dashboard

Install a version of Xcode compatible with both your macOS and iPhone. On macOS 13.5 use Xcode 15.2; on macOS 14.8.9, Xcode 16.2 is an option. Older Xcode releases are available from Apple Developer Downloads; check Apple’s compatibility table before downloading. The latest App Store version may require a newer macOS. This is Apple's official development app — Icemoon uses it under the hood to install its automation runner onto your iPhone.

Once Xcode is installed, open Icemoon. Its setup assistant finds Xcode, opens it if Apple needs you to finish initial setup, and checks the iOS tools. Review Apple’s license and approve any component installation requested by Xcode.

In Xcode, open Settings → Accounts, press +, and sign in with your Apple ID. Icemoon uses this account to sign the automation runner it installs on your phone. A free Apple ID works — you do not need a paid Apple Developer membership.

Download the archive for your Mac processor from your dashboard, double-click it to unpack, and drag AutomationStudio.app into your Applications folder.

Choose Apple Silicon for an M-series Mac or Intel for an Intel Mac (Apple menu → About This Mac). The compatible builds require macOS 13.5 or later, including macOS 14.8.9.

This compatibility test build has a local signature and has not yet been notarized by Apple. Gatekeeper may refuse to open a downloaded copy. If this happens, contact support with the exact message and package name; no system security changes are required by this guide.

Open AutomationStudio. The setup assistant finds your installed Xcode automatically, including renamed copies, and checks whether its components are ready. If Apple requires initial setup, Icemoon opens Xcode for you. If the iOS development platform is missing, the assistant starts its download from Apple. Python, jq and the automation runner are included in your app download.

Review Apple’s license and approve any installation or password prompt in Xcode. Icemoon checks again automatically and continues once the components are ready. No Terminal commands or manual selection of command-line tools are needed.

When setup finishes, the app asks for your activation code. Copy it from your dashboard, paste it in, and press Activate License. The code binds to your account and this Mac on first use.

Connect the iPhone to your Mac with a USB cable, then:

• On the phone, tap Trust when asked whether to trust this computer, and enter the phone's passcode.
• Enable Developer Mode: Settings → Privacy & Security → scroll to the bottom → Developer Mode → turn it on. The phone will restart and ask you to confirm once more.

Back in AutomationStudio, click Add New Device. The assistant waits for your iPhone and tells you if it needs to be unlocked, trusted or have Developer Mode enabled. It continues automatically after you complete the step. If your Apple ID is missing, it opens Xcode and explains where to sign in. On the first start, the app builds and installs its automation runner onto the phone.

That's it — your device is live on the dashboard and ready for automation.

FAQ & troubleshooting