diff --git a/src/__tests__/client.test.ts b/src/__tests__/client.test.ts
index a6f6fd7dc..d711c2c04 100644
--- a/src/__tests__/client.test.ts
+++ b/src/__tests__/client.test.ts
@@ -67,13 +67,13 @@ test('apps.open resolves session device identifiers from open response', async (
     app: 'Settings',
     platform: 'ios',
     relaunch: true,
-    noDeviceHub: true,
+    deviceHub: true,
   });
 
   assert.equal(setup.calls.length, 1);
   assert.equal(setup.calls[0]?.command, 'open');
   assert.deepEqual(setup.calls[0]?.positionals, ['Settings']);
-  assert.equal(setup.calls[0]?.flags?.noDeviceHub, true);
+  assert.equal(setup.calls[0]?.flags?.deviceHub, true);
   assert.equal(result.identifiers.session, 'qa');
   assert.equal(result.identifiers.deviceId, 'SIM-001');
   assert.equal(result.identifiers.udid, 'SIM-001');
diff --git a/src/client-normalizers.ts b/src/client-normalizers.ts
index a4d16ebde..b305f3210 100644
--- a/src/client-normalizers.ts
+++ b/src/client-normalizers.ts
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ export function buildFlags(options: InternalRequestOptions): CommandFlags {
     relaunch: options.relaunch,
     shutdown: options.shutdown,
     saveScript: options.saveScript,
-    noDeviceHub: options.noDeviceHub,
+    deviceHub: options.deviceHub,
     noRecord: options.noRecord,
     backMode: options.backMode,
     metroHost: options.metroHost,
diff --git a/src/client-types.ts b/src/client-types.ts
index 1d4a8c25f..0c62c5dc9 100644
--- a/src/client-types.ts
+++ b/src/client-types.ts
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ export type AppOpenOptions = AgentDeviceRequestOverrides &
     launchArgs?: string[];
     relaunch?: boolean;
     saveScript?: boolean | string;
-    noDeviceHub?: boolean;
+    deviceHub?: boolean;
     noRecord?: boolean;
     runtime?: SessionRuntimeHints;
   };
@@ -884,7 +884,7 @@ export type InternalRequestOptions = AgentDeviceClientConfig &
     relaunch?: boolean;
     shutdown?: boolean;
     saveScript?: boolean | string;
-    noDeviceHub?: boolean;
+    deviceHub?: boolean;
     noRecord?: boolean;
     backMode?: BackMode;
     metroHost?: string;
diff --git a/src/commands/cli-grammar/apps.ts b/src/commands/cli-grammar/apps.ts
index 882ce5a1a..55e97cea1 100644
--- a/src/commands/cli-grammar/apps.ts
+++ b/src/commands/cli-grammar/apps.ts
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ export const appCliReaders = {
     launchArgs: flags.launchArgs,
     relaunch: flags.relaunch,
     saveScript: flags.saveScript,
-    noDeviceHub: flags.noDeviceHub,
+    deviceHub: flags.deviceHub,
     noRecord: flags.noRecord,
   }),
   close: (positionals, flags) => ({
diff --git a/src/commands/client-command-metadata.ts b/src/commands/client-command-metadata.ts
index d5ac175d0..9377b0ef3 100644
--- a/src/commands/client-command-metadata.ts
+++ b/src/commands/client-command-metadata.ts
@@ -63,9 +63,7 @@ export const clientCommandMetadata = [
     ),
     relaunch: booleanField('Force relaunch.'),
     saveScript: jsonSchemaField<boolean | string>({ oneOf: [booleanSchema(), stringSchema()] }),
-    noDeviceHub: booleanField(
-      'Skip Xcode Device Hub and use the standalone Simulator app when surfacing Apple simulators.',
-    ),
+    deviceHub: booleanField('Use Xcode Device Hub when surfacing Apple simulators.'),
     noRecord: booleanField('Do not record this action.'),
   }),
   defineClientCommandMetadata('close', {
diff --git a/src/daemon-client.ts b/src/daemon-client.ts
index ece3c2fe2..0da7bf50e 100644
--- a/src/daemon-client.ts
+++ b/src/daemon-client.ts
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ export type OpenAppOptions = {
   launchArgs?: NonNullable<DaemonRequest['flags']>['launchArgs'];
   out?: NonNullable<DaemonRequest['flags']>['out'];
   saveScript?: NonNullable<DaemonRequest['flags']>['saveScript'];
-  noDeviceHub?: NonNullable<DaemonRequest['flags']>['noDeviceHub'];
+  deviceHub?: NonNullable<DaemonRequest['flags']>['deviceHub'];
   relaunch?: boolean;
   runtime?: DaemonRequest['runtime'];
   meta?: Omit<NonNullable<DaemonRequest['meta']>, 'uploadedArtifactId' | 'clientArtifactPaths'>;
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ export async function openApp(options: OpenAppOptions = {}): Promise<DaemonRespo
     launchArgs,
     out,
     saveScript,
-    noDeviceHub,
+    deviceHub,
     relaunch,
     runtime,
     meta,
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ export async function openApp(options: OpenAppOptions = {}): Promise<DaemonRespo
       ...(launchArgs !== undefined ? { launchArgs } : {}),
       ...(out !== undefined ? { out } : {}),
       ...(saveScript !== undefined ? { saveScript } : {}),
-      ...(noDeviceHub !== undefined ? { noDeviceHub } : {}),
+      ...(deviceHub !== undefined ? { deviceHub } : {}),
       ...(relaunch ? { relaunch: true } : {}),
     },
     ...(runtime !== undefined ? { runtime } : {}),
diff --git a/src/daemon/__tests__/device-ready.test.ts b/src/daemon/__tests__/device-ready.test.ts
index 7383aa21d..bffec16bc 100644
--- a/src/daemon/__tests__/device-ready.test.ts
+++ b/src/daemon/__tests__/device-ready.test.ts
@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ test('ensureDeviceReady caches successful simulator readiness checks', async ()
 
   expect(mockEnsureBootedSimulator).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
   expect(mockEnsureBootedSimulator).toHaveBeenCalledWith(device, {
+    deviceHub: undefined,
     focusExisting: undefined,
-    preferStandalone: undefined,
   });
 });
 
@@ -64,12 +64,12 @@ test('ensureDeviceReady focuses cached simulator readiness checks when requested
   const device: DeviceInfo = { ...IOS_SIMULATOR, simulatorSetPath: '/tmp/simset-a' };
 
   await ensureDeviceReady(device);
-  await ensureDeviceReady({ ...device }, { focusExisting: true, noDeviceHub: true });
+  await ensureDeviceReady({ ...device }, { deviceHub: true, focusExisting: true });
 
   expect(mockEnsureBootedSimulator).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2);
   expect(mockEnsureBootedSimulator).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(
     { ...device },
-    { focusExisting: true, preferStandalone: true },
+    { deviceHub: true, focusExisting: true },
   );
 });
 
diff --git a/src/daemon/device-ready.ts b/src/daemon/device-ready.ts
index 5aed29ec7..0f94e018d 100644
--- a/src/daemon/device-ready.ts
+++ b/src/daemon/device-ready.ts
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ export const DEVICE_READY_CACHE_TTL_MS = 5_000;
 const readyCache = new Map<string, number>();
 
 export type DeviceReadyOptions = {
+  deviceHub?: boolean;
   focusExisting?: boolean;
-  noDeviceHub?: boolean;
 };
 
 export async function ensureDeviceReady(
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ export async function ensureDeviceReady(
     if (device.kind === 'simulator') {
       const { ensureBootedSimulator } = await import('../platforms/ios/simulator.ts');
       await ensureBootedSimulator(device, {
+        deviceHub: options.deviceHub,
         focusExisting: options.focusExisting,
-        preferStandalone: options.noDeviceHub,
       });
       markDeviceReady(cacheKey);
       return;
diff --git a/src/daemon/handlers/session-open-prepare.ts b/src/daemon/handlers/session-open-prepare.ts
index 91b95aa3e..66e3e1617 100644
--- a/src/daemon/handlers/session-open-prepare.ts
+++ b/src/daemon/handlers/session-open-prepare.ts
@@ -109,8 +109,8 @@ export async function prepareOpenCommandDetails(params: {
 }): Promise<PreparedOpenCommandDetailsResult> {
   const { req, sessionName, sessionStore, device, surface, openTarget, existingSession } = params;
   await ensureDeviceReady(device, {
+    deviceHub: req.flags?.deviceHub === true,
     focusExisting: true,
-    noDeviceHub: req.flags?.noDeviceHub === true,
   });
   const { appBundleId, appName } = await resolvePreparedOpenIdentity({
     device,
diff --git a/src/platforms/ios/__tests__/index.test.ts b/src/platforms/ios/__tests__/index.test.ts
index 6922cbe7b..58dd854eb 100644
--- a/src/platforms/ios/__tests__/index.test.ts
+++ b/src/platforms/ios/__tests__/index.test.ts
@@ -118,6 +118,41 @@ const mockRetryWithPolicy = vi.mocked(retryWithPolicy);
 const mockRunIosRunnerCommand = vi.mocked(runIosRunnerCommand);
 const mockEnsureBootedSimulator = vi.mocked(ensureBootedSimulator);
 const mockOpenIosSimulatorApp = vi.mocked(openIosSimulatorApp);
+
+type MockRunCmdResult = Awaited<ReturnType<typeof runCmd>>;
+type MockRunCmdResponse = MockRunCmdResult | (() => MockRunCmdResult);
+
+const OK_RESULT: MockRunCmdResult = { exitCode: 0, stdout: '', stderr: '' };
+
+function mockRunCmdResponses(responses: Record<string, MockRunCmdResponse>): void {
+  mockRunCmd.mockImplementation(async (cmd, args) => {
+    const key = formatMockRunCmdCall(cmd, args);
+    const response = responses[key];
+    if (!response) throw new Error(`Unexpected command: ${key}`);
+    return typeof response === 'function' ? response() : response;
+  });
+}
+
+function formatMockRunCmdCall(cmd: string, args: string[]): string {
+  return `${cmd} ${args.join(' ')}`;
+}
+
+function simulatorListDevicesResult(state: string): MockRunCmdResult {
+  return {
+    exitCode: 0,
+    stdout: JSON.stringify({
+      devices: {
+        'com.apple.CoreSimulator.SimRuntime.iOS-18-6': [{ udid: 'sim-1', state }],
+      },
+    }),
+    stderr: '',
+  };
+}
+
+function simulatorStateSequence(...states: string[]): () => MockRunCmdResult {
+  let index = 0;
+  return () => simulatorListDevicesResult(states[index++] ?? states.at(-1) ?? 'Booted');
+}
 const mockPrepareStatusBarForScreenshot = vi.mocked(prepareStatusBarForScreenshot);
 
 beforeEach(() => {
@@ -410,57 +445,49 @@ test('openIosApp custom scheme deep links on iOS devices require app bundle cont
   );
 });
 
-test('ensureBootedSimulator opens Device Hub after cold boot when available', async () => {
-  let listCallCount = 0;
-  mockRunCmd.mockImplementation(async (cmd, args) => {
-    if (cmd === 'xcrun' && args.join(' ') === 'simctl list devices -j') {
-      listCallCount += 1;
-      const state = listCallCount === 1 ? 'Shutdown' : 'Booted';
-      return {
-        exitCode: 0,
-        stdout: JSON.stringify({
-          devices: {
-            'com.apple.CoreSimulator.SimRuntime.iOS-18-6': [{ udid: 'sim-1', state }],
-          },
-        }),
-        stderr: '',
-      };
-    }
-    if (cmd === 'xcrun' && args.join(' ') === 'simctl boot sim-1') {
-      return { exitCode: 0, stdout: '', stderr: '' };
-    }
-    if (cmd === 'xcrun' && args.join(' ') === 'simctl bootstatus sim-1 -b') {
-      return { exitCode: 0, stdout: '', stderr: '' };
-    }
-    if (cmd === 'open' && args.join(' ') === '-a Device Hub') {
-      return { exitCode: 0, stdout: '', stderr: '' };
-    }
-    throw new Error(`Unexpected command: ${cmd} ${args.join(' ')}`);
+test('ensureBootedSimulator opens Simulator after cold boot by default', async () => {
+  mockRunCmdResponses({
+    'xcrun simctl list devices -j': simulatorStateSequence('Shutdown', 'Booted'),
+    'xcrun simctl boot sim-1': OK_RESULT,
+    'xcrun simctl bootstatus sim-1 -b': OK_RESULT,
+    'open -a Simulator': OK_RESULT,
   });
 
   await ensureBootedSimulator(IOS_TEST_SIMULATOR, { focusExisting: true });
 
   assert.equal(
     mockRunCmd.mock.calls.some(
-      ([cmd, args]) => cmd === 'open' && args.join(' ') === '-a Device Hub',
+      ([cmd, args]) => cmd === 'open' && args.join(' ') === '-a Simulator',
     ),
     true,
   );
 });
 
-test('openIosSimulatorApp falls back to Simulator when Device Hub is unavailable', async () => {
-  mockRunCmd.mockImplementation(async (cmd, args) => {
-    if (cmd === 'open' && args.join(' ') === '-a Device Hub') {
-      return { exitCode: 1, stdout: '', stderr: 'Unable to find application named Device Hub' };
-    }
-    if (cmd === 'open' && args.join(' ') === '-a Simulator') {
-      return { exitCode: 0, stdout: '', stderr: '' };
-    }
-    throw new Error(`Unexpected command: ${cmd} ${args.join(' ')}`);
+test('openIosSimulatorApp opens Simulator by default', async () => {
+  mockRunCmdResponses({
+    'open -a Simulator': OK_RESULT,
   });
 
   await openIosSimulatorApp();
 
+  assert.deepEqual(
+    mockRunCmd.mock.calls.map(([cmd, args]) => [cmd, args.join(' ')]),
+    [['open', '-a Simulator']],
+  );
+});
+
+test('openIosSimulatorApp uses Device Hub when opted in and falls back to Simulator', async () => {
+  mockRunCmdResponses({
+    'open -a Device Hub': {
+      exitCode: 1,
+      stdout: '',
+      stderr: 'Unable to find application named Device Hub',
+    },
+    'open -a Simulator': OK_RESULT,
+  });
+
+  await openIosSimulatorApp({ deviceHub: true });
+
   assert.deepEqual(
     mockRunCmd.mock.calls.map(([cmd, args]) => [cmd, args.join(' ')]),
     [
@@ -470,71 +497,60 @@ test('openIosSimulatorApp falls back to Simulator when Device Hub is unavailable
   );
 });
 
-test('ensureBootedSimulator opens Device Hub when already booted and available', async () => {
-  mockRunCmd.mockImplementation(async (cmd, args) => {
-    if (cmd === 'xcrun' && args.join(' ') === 'simctl list devices -j') {
-      return {
-        exitCode: 0,
-        stdout: JSON.stringify({
-          devices: {
-            'com.apple.CoreSimulator.SimRuntime.iOS-18-6': [{ udid: 'sim-1', state: 'Booted' }],
-          },
-        }),
-        stderr: '',
-      };
-    }
-    if (cmd === 'open' && args.join(' ') === '-a Device Hub') {
-      return { exitCode: 0, stdout: '', stderr: '' };
-    }
-    throw new Error(`Unexpected command: ${cmd} ${args.join(' ')}`);
+test('ensureBootedSimulator opens Simulator when already booted by default', async () => {
+  mockRunCmdResponses({
+    'xcrun simctl list devices -j': simulatorListDevicesResult('Booted'),
+    'open -a Simulator': OK_RESULT,
   });
 
   await ensureBootedSimulator(IOS_TEST_SIMULATOR, { focusExisting: true });
 
+  assert.deepEqual(
+    mockRunCmd.mock.calls.map(([cmd, args]) => [cmd, args.join(' ')]),
+    [
+      ['xcrun', 'simctl list devices -j'],
+      ['open', '-a Simulator'],
+    ],
+  );
+});
+
+test('ensureBootedSimulator opens Device Hub without activation when already booted and opted in', async () => {
+  mockRunCmdResponses({
+    'xcrun simctl list devices -j': simulatorListDevicesResult('Booted'),
+    'open -g -a Device Hub': OK_RESULT,
+  });
+
+  await ensureBootedSimulator(IOS_TEST_SIMULATOR, { deviceHub: true, focusExisting: true });
+
   assert.equal(
     mockRunCmd.mock.calls.some(
-      ([cmd, args]) => cmd === 'open' && args.join(' ') === '-a Device Hub',
+      ([cmd, args]) => cmd === 'open' && args.join(' ') === '-g -a Device Hub',
     ),
     true,
   );
   assert.equal(
     mockRunCmd.mock.calls.some(
-      ([cmd, args]) => cmd === 'open' && args.join(' ') === '-a Simulator',
+      ([cmd, args]) => cmd === 'open' && args.join(' ') === '-g -a Simulator',
     ),
     false,
   );
 });
 
-test('ensureBootedSimulator honors standalone Simulator preference when already booted', async () => {
-  mockRunCmd.mockImplementation(async (cmd, args) => {
-    if (cmd === 'xcrun' && args.join(' ') === 'simctl list devices -j') {
-      return {
-        exitCode: 0,
-        stdout: JSON.stringify({
-          devices: {
-            'com.apple.CoreSimulator.SimRuntime.iOS-18-6': [{ udid: 'sim-1', state: 'Booted' }],
-          },
-        }),
-        stderr: '',
-      };
-    }
-    if (cmd === 'open' && args.join(' ') === '-a Simulator') {
-      return { exitCode: 0, stdout: '', stderr: '' };
-    }
-    throw new Error(`Unexpected command: ${cmd} ${args.join(' ')}`);
+test('ensureBootedSimulator foregrounds Device Hub after cold boot when opted in', async () => {
+  mockRunCmdResponses({
+    'xcrun simctl list devices -j': simulatorStateSequence('Shutdown', 'Booted'),
+    'xcrun simctl boot sim-1': OK_RESULT,
+    'xcrun simctl bootstatus sim-1 -b': OK_RESULT,
+    'open -a Device Hub': OK_RESULT,
   });
 
-  await ensureBootedSimulator(IOS_TEST_SIMULATOR, {
-    focusExisting: true,
-    preferStandalone: true,
-  });
+  await ensureBootedSimulator(IOS_TEST_SIMULATOR, { deviceHub: true, focusExisting: true });
 
-  assert.deepEqual(
-    mockRunCmd.mock.calls.map(([cmd, args]) => [cmd, args.join(' ')]),
-    [
-      ['xcrun', 'simctl list devices -j'],
-      ['open', '-a Simulator'],
-    ],
+  assert.equal(
+    mockRunCmd.mock.calls.some(
+      ([cmd, args]) => cmd === 'open' && args.join(' ') === '-a Device Hub',
+    ),
+    true,
   );
 });
 
@@ -987,7 +1003,11 @@ test('screenshotIos retries simulator capture timeouts and eventually succeeds',
     );
     assert.equal(
       logLines.filter(
-        (line) => line === '__OPEN__ -a Device Hub' || line === '__OPEN__ -a Simulator',
+        (line) =>
+          line === '__OPEN__ -a Device Hub' ||
+          line === '__OPEN__ -a Simulator' ||
+          line === '__OPEN__ -g -a Device Hub' ||
+          line === '__OPEN__ -g -a Simulator',
       ).length,
       0,
       'should not focus simulator host app while retrying screenshots',
diff --git a/src/platforms/ios/simulator.ts b/src/platforms/ios/simulator.ts
index c893c1675..d4990f59e 100644
--- a/src/platforms/ios/simulator.ts
+++ b/src/platforms/ios/simulator.ts
@@ -11,16 +11,17 @@ import {
 import { buildSimctlArgs, buildSimctlArgsForDevice } from './simctl.ts';
 import { runAppleToolCommand, runXcrun } from './tool-provider.ts';
 
-const IOS_SIMULATOR_HOST_APPS = ['Device Hub', 'Simulator'] as const;
-const IOS_SIMULATOR_STANDALONE_HOST_APPS = ['Simulator'] as const;
+const IOS_SIMULATOR_HOST_APPS = ['Simulator'] as const;
+const IOS_DEVICE_HUB_HOST_APPS = ['Device Hub', 'Simulator'] as const;
 
 type OpenIosSimulatorAppOptions = {
-  preferStandalone?: boolean;
+  background?: boolean;
+  deviceHub?: boolean;
 };
 
 type EnsureBootedSimulatorOptions = {
+  deviceHub?: boolean;
   focusExisting?: boolean;
-  preferStandalone?: boolean;
 };
 
 export function requireSimulatorDevice(device: DeviceInfo, command: string): void {
@@ -30,11 +31,10 @@ export function requireSimulatorDevice(device: DeviceInfo, command: string): voi
 }
 
 export async function openIosSimulatorApp(options: OpenIosSimulatorAppOptions = {}): Promise<void> {
-  const appNames = options.preferStandalone
-    ? IOS_SIMULATOR_STANDALONE_HOST_APPS
-    : IOS_SIMULATOR_HOST_APPS;
+  const appNames = options.deviceHub ? IOS_DEVICE_HUB_HOST_APPS : IOS_SIMULATOR_HOST_APPS;
+  const openArgsPrefix = options.background ? ['-g', '-a'] : ['-a'];
   for (const appName of appNames) {
-    const result = await runAppleToolCommand('open', ['-a', appName], {
+    const result = await runAppleToolCommand('open', [...openArgsPrefix, appName], {
       allowFailure: true,
       timeoutMs: IOS_SIMULATOR_FOCUS_TIMEOUT_MS,
     });
@@ -51,7 +51,10 @@ export async function ensureBootedSimulator(
   const state = await getSimulatorState(device);
   if (state === 'Booted') {
     if (options.focusExisting) {
-      await openIosSimulatorApp({ preferStandalone: options.preferStandalone });
+      await openIosSimulatorApp({
+        background: options.deviceHub,
+        deviceHub: options.deviceHub,
+      });
     }
     return;
   }
@@ -177,7 +180,7 @@ export async function ensureBootedSimulator(
     });
   }
 
-  await openIosSimulatorApp({ preferStandalone: options.preferStandalone });
+  await openIosSimulatorApp({ deviceHub: options.deviceHub });
 }
 
 export async function shutdownSimulator(device: DeviceInfo): Promise<{
diff --git a/src/utils/__tests__/args.test.ts b/src/utils/__tests__/args.test.ts
index ed1413dd8..3669d642c 100644
--- a/src/utils/__tests__/args.test.ts
+++ b/src/utils/__tests__/args.test.ts
@@ -586,13 +586,13 @@ test('parseArgs recognizes explicit config file flag', () => {
   assert.equal(parsed.flags.config, './agent-device.json');
 });
 
-test('parseArgs recognizes open Device Hub opt-out flag', () => {
-  const parsed = parseArgs(['open', 'settings', '--platform', 'ios', '--no-device-hub'], {
+test('parseArgs recognizes open Device Hub opt-in flag', () => {
+  const parsed = parseArgs(['open', 'settings', '--platform', 'ios', '--device-hub'], {
     strictFlags: true,
   });
   assert.equal(parsed.command, 'open');
   assert.equal(parsed.flags.platform, 'ios');
-  assert.equal(parsed.flags.noDeviceHub, true);
+  assert.equal(parsed.flags.deviceHub, true);
 });
 
 test('parseArgs recognizes session lock policy flag', () => {
@@ -1599,8 +1599,8 @@ test('open command usage documents surface and console log flags', () => {
   assert.match(help, /macOS also supports --surface/);
   assert.match(help, /--launch-console <path>/);
   assert.match(help, /iOS simulator launch console/);
-  assert.match(help, /--no-device-hub/);
-  assert.match(help, /skip Xcode Device Hub/);
+  assert.match(help, /--device-hub/);
+  assert.match(help, /use Xcode Device Hub/);
 });
 
 test('command usage shows record touch-overlay opt-out flag', () => {
diff --git a/src/utils/cli-command-overrides.ts b/src/utils/cli-command-overrides.ts
index 5f474f25f..cfd59f0cb 100644
--- a/src/utils/cli-command-overrides.ts
+++ b/src/utils/cli-command-overrides.ts
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ const CLI_COMMAND_OVERRIDES = {
       'activity',
       'launchConsole',
       'launchArgs',
-      'noDeviceHub',
+      'deviceHub',
       'saveScript',
       'relaunch',
       'surface',
diff --git a/src/utils/cli-flags.ts b/src/utils/cli-flags.ts
index 049d8e825..a208a2696 100644
--- a/src/utils/cli-flags.ts
+++ b/src/utils/cli-flags.ts
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ export type CliFlags = RemoteConfigMetroOptions &
     udid?: string;
     serial?: string;
     iosSimulatorDeviceSet?: string;
-    noDeviceHub?: boolean;
+    deviceHub?: boolean;
     androidDeviceAllowlist?: string;
     session?: string;
     metroHost?: string;
@@ -496,12 +496,11 @@ const FLAG_DEFINITIONS: readonly FlagDefinition[] = [
     usageDescription: 'Scope iOS simulator discovery/commands to this simulator device set',
   },
   {
-    key: 'noDeviceHub',
-    names: ['--no-device-hub'],
+    key: 'deviceHub',
+    names: ['--device-hub'],
     type: 'boolean',
-    usageLabel: '--no-device-hub',
-    usageDescription:
-      'open: skip Xcode Device Hub and use the standalone Simulator app when surfacing Apple simulators',
+    usageLabel: '--device-hub',
+    usageDescription: 'open: use Xcode Device Hub when surfacing Apple simulators',
   },
   {
     key: 'androidDeviceAllowlist',
diff --git a/test/integration/provider-scenarios/providers.ts b/test/integration/provider-scenarios/providers.ts
index 07e19d8e5..55a2e0d37 100644
--- a/test/integration/provider-scenarios/providers.ts
+++ b/test/integration/provider-scenarios/providers.ts
@@ -96,11 +96,15 @@ export function createRecordingAppleToolProvider(handlers: RecordingAppleToolHan
   };
 }
 
+const SIMULATOR_HOST_OPEN_COMMANDS = new Set([
+  '-a Device Hub',
+  '-a Simulator',
+  '-g -a Device Hub',
+  '-g -a Simulator',
+]);
+
 function isSimulatorHostOpenCommand(cmd: string, args: string[]): boolean {
-  if (cmd !== 'open') return false;
-  return (
-    args.length === 2 && args[0] === '-a' && (args[1] === 'Device Hub' || args[1] === 'Simulator')
-  );
+  return cmd === 'open' && SIMULATOR_HOST_OPEN_COMMANDS.has(args.join(' '));
 }
 
 function createRecordingMacOsHostProvider(
diff --git a/test/integration/provider-scenarios/tvos-remote.test.ts b/test/integration/provider-scenarios/tvos-remote.test.ts
index a2fd1bea4..e97733f16 100644
--- a/test/integration/provider-scenarios/tvos-remote.test.ts
+++ b/test/integration/provider-scenarios/tvos-remote.test.ts
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ test('Provider-backed integration tvOS remote flow maps navigation commands to r
       runnerTranscript.assertComplete();
       assert.deepEqual(appleTool.calls, [
         ['simctl', 'list', 'devices', '-j'],
-        ['open', '-a', 'Device Hub'],
+        ['open', '-a', 'Simulator'],
         ['simctl', 'list', 'devices', '-j'],
         ['simctl', 'launch', 'tv-sim-1', 'com.example.tv'],
         ['simctl', 'list', 'devices', '-j'],
diff --git a/test/skillgym/suites/agent-device-smoke-suite.ts b/test/skillgym/suites/agent-device-smoke-suite.ts
index 6979830b2..831aa9d3c 100644
--- a/test/skillgym/suites/agent-device-smoke-suite.ts
+++ b/test/skillgym/suites/agent-device-smoke-suite.ts
@@ -1217,6 +1217,18 @@ const SKILL_GUIDANCE_CASES: Case[] = [
     ],
     forbiddenOutputs: [/simctl\b/i, /--console-pty/i, /\bsleep\s+\d+/i],
   }),
+  makeCase({
+    id: 'ios-simulator-open-device-hub',
+    contract: [
+      'App name: Agent Device Tester',
+      'Platform: iOS simulator',
+      'User explicitly wants Xcode Device Hub when surfacing the simulator',
+      'After launch, verify the app UI loaded with an interactive snapshot',
+    ],
+    task: 'Plan commands for launching the iOS simulator app through Xcode Device Hub, then verify the UI loaded.',
+    outputs: [/open\b[^\n]*Agent Device Tester[^\n]*--device-hub/i, /snapshot -i/i],
+    forbiddenOutputs: [/--no-device-hub/i, /simctl\b/i, /\bsleep\s+\d+/i],
+  }),
   makeCase({
     id: 'debug-network-session-dump',
     contract: [
diff --git a/website/docs/docs/client-api.md b/website/docs/docs/client-api.md
index 2cca05e8e..ddbb192bf 100644
--- a/website/docs/docs/client-api.md
+++ b/website/docs/docs/client-api.md
@@ -120,8 +120,8 @@ await client.sessions.close();
 For direct iOS simulator app launches, `client.apps.open({ app, platform: 'ios', launchConsole: './artifacts/app.console.log' })` captures launch-time
 stdout/stderr. The option mirrors `open --launch-console` and is not valid for URL opens or non-simulator targets.
 
-When surfacing Apple simulators, `client.apps.open({ noDeviceHub: true })` mirrors `open --no-device-hub` and forces the standalone Simulator app
-instead of Xcode Device Hub.
+When surfacing Apple simulators, `client.apps.open({ deviceHub: true })` mirrors `open --device-hub` and uses Xcode Device Hub instead of the
+standalone Simulator app.
 
 `client.sessions.stateDir()` mirrors `session state-dir` and returns the resolved daemon state directory as a pure local resolution — it never starts
 or contacts the daemon. Pass `{ stateDir }` to resolve an explicit override the same way the CLI resolves `--state-dir`.
diff --git a/website/docs/docs/commands.md b/website/docs/docs/commands.md
index bec930e24..e7c763b6b 100644
--- a/website/docs/docs/commands.md
+++ b/website/docs/docs/commands.md
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ agent-device app-switcher
 - `open <app> <url>` opens a deep link on iOS.
 - `open <app> --launch-console <path>` captures launch-time stdout/stderr for direct iOS simulator app launches. It is not valid for URL opens or
   non-simulator targets.
-- `open --no-device-hub` skips Xcode Device Hub and uses the standalone Simulator app when surfacing Apple simulators.
+- `open --device-hub` uses Xcode Device Hub when surfacing Apple simulators.
 - `open --platform macos --surface app|frontmost-app|desktop|menubar` selects the macOS session surface explicitly. `app` is the default when an app argument is provided.
 - `back` now defaults to app-owned back navigation. On Apple targets that means visible in-app back UI only. On Android this currently maps to the same back keyevent because Android routes in-app back through that platform event.
 - `back --in-app` is an explicit alias for the default app-owned behavior.