Perplexity Computer now runs fully locally on a Mac
The model, planning and file work stay on your computer. It’s for Pro, Max and Enterprise subscribers, with 36 GB of memory or more recommended.
On October 20, Perplexity added a fully local mode to Computer. The model and agent run right on your Mac, and personal data isn’t sent to the cloud in this mode.
What’s new
With your permission, the agent works with local files and apps such as Notes, Messages, Mail and Numbers. The Mac app has two modes:
- Hybrid Compute: a task starts in the cloud and coordinates research with local work on private files;
- Fully local: planning, reasoning and file processing stay on the device.
Two local models are available at launch: Qwen 3.6 and PPLX Pro, a post-trained version of Qwen.
How to try it
- Install the latest Perplexity Mac app.
- Download a local model by following the in-app instructions.
- Choose fully local for your task.
You need a Pro, Max or Enterprise plan and a supported Apple silicon Mac. 36 GB of memory or more is recommended.
Limitations
Current web information, browser use and connected apps require cloud escalation, which you have to authorize. Once you do, the task is no longer purely local. The company doesn’t state minimum memory requirements.
Prepared with AI from public sources.