diff --git a/src/mbgl/mtl/renderer_backend.cpp b/src/mbgl/mtl/renderer_backend.cpp
index 7f8a1fdf2..8579ef076 100644
--- a/src/mbgl/mtl/renderer_backend.cpp
+++ b/src/mbgl/mtl/renderer_backend.cpp
@@ -46,7 +46,11 @@ RendererBackend::RendererBackend(const gfx::ContextMode contextMode_)
       commandQueue(NS::TransferPtr(device->newCommandQueue())) {
     assert(device);
     assert(commandQueue);
+#if TARGET_OS_SIMULATOR
+    baseVertexInstanceDrawingSupported = true;
+#else
     baseVertexInstanceDrawingSupported = device->supportsFamily(MTL::GPUFamilyApple3);
+#endif
 }
 
 RendererBackend::~RendererBackend() = default;