---
title: "Emulator and simulator"
canonical_url: https://developer.repebble.com/pebbleos/docs/development/emulation/
last_updated: 2026-10-21
sdk_version: 4.33.1
---
# Emulator and simulator

Source: https://developer.repebble.com/pebbleos/docs/development/emulation/

PebbleOS runs on a desktop in two ways, without a watch:

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[Emulator](https://developer.repebble.com/pebbleos/docs/development/emulation/emulator.md)

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[Native simulator](https://developer.repebble.com/pebbleos/docs/development/emulation/native_simulator.md)

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| --- | --- | --- |
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Runs

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The ARM firmware, in QEMU

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The firmware compiled for the host

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Boards

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`qemu_flint`, `qemu_emery`, `qemu_gabbro`

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`native_flint`, `native_emery`, `native_gabbro`

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Platforms

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Flint, Emery, Gabbro

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Flint, Emery, Gabbro

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Third-party apps

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Yes: `.pbw` files install and run

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Yes, with `CONFIG_SAMSA`, which interprets their ARM code

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Speed

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Boots as on a watch

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Builds and boots much faster

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Debugging

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GDB, through QEMU

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The host’s debugger, sanitizers and profilers

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Integration tests

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Yes

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Yes

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Both reproduce a platform’s display, buttons and touch, and neither exercises the real hardware: use a watch for drivers, power and radio behaviour.

Use the emulator to check the firmware and apps as they run on a watch for each platform, and for anything ARM-specific. Use the native simulator for fast iterations on the firmware’s logic and UI, and to debug them with host tools.

Generated from PebbleOS [3a7b71785](https://github.com/coredevices/pebbleos/commit/3a7b71785fd439666c4a8bc116f561140e8dec01). This page is maintained in the pebbleos repository: [docs/development/emulation/index.md](https://github.com/coredevices/pebbleos/blob/3a7b71785fd439666c4a8bc116f561140e8dec01/docs/development/emulation/index.md).