Help with Python Appium iOS Test Script for Opening Settings and Clicking Buttons

Hi Appium team,

I’m trying to create a Python test script for iOS using Appium. I followed the Quickstart example for Android, but when I adapted it to an emulated iPhone device, I ran into a few issues.

Currently, I want to:

1. Open the iOS Settings app.
2. Click a specific button or section (e.g., "Screen Time").
3. Assert a certain text exists.
4. Understand how to control app launch behavior in Appium:
   4a. Start an app fresh: Launch the app as if it has never been opened before on the device (no cached state, fresh session).
   4b. Attach to an already running app: Connect to the app if it’s already running on the emulator or device, without restarting it.

import unittest
import warnings
from appium import webdriver
from appium.options.ios import XCUITestOptions
from appium.webdriver.common.appiumby import AppiumBy

options = XCUITestOptions()
options.platform_name = "iOS"
options.automation_name = "XCUITest"
options.device_name = "iPhone 15"
options.platform_version = "17.2"
options.bundle_id = "com.apple.Preferences"
options.language = "en"
options.locale = "US"
# options.device_id = "1F4F5697-3E82-4EC9-819A-9478BDE3E598"

appium_server_url = "http://127.0.0.1:4723"

class TestIOSSettings(unittest.TestCase):
    def setUp(self) -> None:
        self.driver = webdriver.Remote(command_executor=appium_server_url, options=options)

    def tearDown(self) -> None:
        if self.driver:
            self.driver.quit()

    def test_open_screen_time(self) -> None:
        el = self.driver.find_element(AppiumBy.IOS_PREDICATE, 'label == "Screen Time"')
        el.click()

if __name__ == "__main__":
    unittest.main()

Problems I encountered:

1. I cannot navigate into Settings reliably; nothing is happening on the emulated iPhone screen.
2. I’m unsure how to launch an app fresh vs attach to an already running app.

Could you provide guidance on:

• The correct way to open system apps like Settings and interact with buttons.
• How to launch an app from scratch or attach to an existing session.

Any tips for using iOS emulators specifically with Python/Appium.

Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
Alex

Start with the linked Appium Python Quickstart and the provided TestIOSSettings script, then reproduce the Settings launch and Screen Time interaction on the stated iPhone 15, iOS 17.2 setup. Done means documenting reliable guidance for opening Settings, interacting with its controls, and distinguishing fresh app launches from attaching to an existing app.