diff --git a/.github/workflows/scripts-ios.yml b/.github/workflows/scripts-ios.yml
index 5209a9702b..28ca4fa0d6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/scripts-ios.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/scripts-ios.yml
@@ -130,7 +130,6 @@ jobs:
       - name: Run iOS UI screenshot tests
         env:
           ARTIFACTS_DIR: ${{ github.workspace }}/artifacts
-          IOS_SIM_DESTINATION: platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 16 Pro,OS=18.5
         run: |
           set -euo pipefail
           mkdir -p "${ARTIFACTS_DIR}"
@@ -152,4 +151,3 @@ jobs:
           path: artifacts
           if-no-files-found: warn
           retention-days: 14
-
diff --git a/scripts/build-ios-app.sh b/scripts/build-ios-app.sh
index 4990495e80..b18451d73a 100755
--- a/scripts/build-ios-app.sh
+++ b/scripts/build-ios-app.sh
@@ -5,7 +5,12 @@ set -euo pipefail
 bia_log() { echo "[build-ios-app] $1"; }
 
 # Pin Xcode so CN1’s Java subprocess sees xcodebuild
-export DEVELOPER_DIR="/Applications/Xcode_16.4.app/Contents/Developer"
+XCODE_APP="${XCODE_APP:-/Applications/Xcode_26.0.1.app}"
+if [ ! -d "$XCODE_APP" ]; then
+  bia_log "Xcode 26 not found at $XCODE_APP. Set XCODE_APP to the Xcode 26 app bundle path." >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+export DEVELOPER_DIR="$XCODE_APP/Contents/Developer"
 export PATH="$DEVELOPER_DIR/usr/bin:$PATH"
 
 SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
@@ -161,4 +166,4 @@ ARTIFACTS_DIR="${ARTIFACTS_DIR:-$REPO_ROOT/artifacts}"
 mkdir -p "$ARTIFACTS_DIR"
 xcodebuild -workspace "$WORKSPACE" -list > "$ARTIFACTS_DIR/xcodebuild-list.txt" 2>&1 || true
 
-exit 0
\ No newline at end of file
+exit 0
diff --git a/scripts/run-ios-ui-tests.sh b/scripts/run-ios-ui-tests.sh
index 20d2490376..4b826b4a88 100755
--- a/scripts/run-ios-ui-tests.sh
+++ b/scripts/run-ios-ui-tests.sh
@@ -54,7 +54,12 @@ ri_log "Loading workspace environment from $ENV_FILE"
 source "$ENV_FILE"
 
 # Use the same Xcode as the build step
-export DEVELOPER_DIR="/Applications/Xcode_16.4.app/Contents/Developer"
+XCODE_APP="${XCODE_APP:-/Applications/Xcode_26.0.1.app}"
+if [ ! -d "$XCODE_APP" ]; then
+  ri_log "Xcode 26 not found at $XCODE_APP. Set XCODE_APP to the Xcode 26 app bundle path." >&2
+  exit 3
+fi
+export DEVELOPER_DIR="$XCODE_APP/Contents/Developer"
 export PATH="$DEVELOPER_DIR/usr/bin:$PATH"
 
 if [ -z "${JAVA17_HOME:-}" ] || [ ! -x "$JAVA17_HOME/bin/java" ]; then
@@ -475,6 +480,28 @@ APP_PROCESS_NAME="${WRAPPER_NAME%.app}"
   LOG_STREAM_PID=$!
   sleep 2
 
+  LAUNCH_LOG="$ARTIFACTS_DIR/simctl-launch.log"
+
+  launch_simulator_app() {
+    local target="$1"
+    local attempt=1
+    while true; do
+      local output
+      if output="$(xcrun simctl launch "$target" "$BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER" 2>&1)"; then
+        printf '%s\n' "$output" >> "$LAUNCH_LOG"
+        return 0
+      fi
+      printf '%s\n' "[$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)] simctl launch failed (attempt $attempt): $output" >> "$LAUNCH_LOG"
+      if [ "$attempt" -ge 2 ]; then
+        return 1
+      fi
+      ri_log "simctl launch failed (attempt $attempt), retrying"
+      xcrun simctl bootstatus "$target" -b >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+      sleep 5
+      attempt=$((attempt + 1))
+    done
+  }
+
   ri_log "Installing simulator app bundle"
   INSTALL_START=$(date +%s)
   if [ -n "$SIM_DEVICE_ID" ]; then
@@ -485,8 +512,8 @@ APP_PROCESS_NAME="${WRAPPER_NAME%.app}"
     INSTALL_END=$(date +%s)
 
     LAUNCH_START=$(date +%s)
-    if ! xcrun simctl launch "$SIM_DEVICE_ID" "$BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-      ri_log "FATAL: simctl launch failed"
+    if ! launch_simulator_app "$SIM_DEVICE_ID"; then
+      ri_log "FATAL: simctl launch failed (see $LAUNCH_LOG)"
       exit 11
     fi
     LAUNCH_END=$(date +%s)
@@ -498,8 +525,8 @@ APP_PROCESS_NAME="${WRAPPER_NAME%.app}"
     INSTALL_END=$(date +%s)
 
     LAUNCH_START=$(date +%s)
-    if ! xcrun simctl launch booted "$BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-      ri_log "FATAL: simctl launch failed"
+    if ! launch_simulator_app booted; then
+      ri_log "FATAL: simctl launch failed (see $LAUNCH_LOG)"
       exit 11
     fi
     LAUNCH_END=$(date +%s)
@@ -659,4 +686,3 @@ cp -f "$BUILD_LOG" "$ARTIFACTS_DIR/xcodebuild-build.log" 2>/dev/null || true
 cp -f "$TEST_LOG" "$ARTIFACTS_DIR/device-runner.log" 2>/dev/null || true
 
 exit $comment_rc
-