diff --git a/src/briefcase/integrations/xcode.py b/src/briefcase/integrations/xcode.py
index a9d4e7b24..cf9d92bfb 100644
--- a/src/briefcase/integrations/xcode.py
+++ b/src/briefcase/integrations/xcode.py
@@ -202,6 +202,19 @@ def ensure_xcode_is_installed(
 """
                 ) from e
 
+        try:
+        # Check for iOS simulated devices
+        result = subprocess.run(['xcrun', 'simctl', 'list', 'devices'], 
+                                capture_output=True, text=True, check=True)
+        output = result.stdout
+        if re.search(r"== Devices ==\s*$", output):
+            raise BriefcaseCommandError(
+                preamble = """\
+There are no Apple Simulator Control devices installed.  They are usually
+part of the Xcode iOS Component installation.  It can be installed
+from the Xcode GUI, settings -> Components -> iOS.
+"""
+            ) from e
 
 class XcodeCliTools(Tool):
     name = "xcode_cli"