Perplexity Computer now runs fully on your Mac
By Bot Tutorials · Published Oct 29, 2026 · Updated Oct 29, 2026 · Facts last verified Oct 29, 2026
Since Oct 20, 2026, Pro, Max and Enterprise subscribers can run Perplexity Computer fully locally on supported Apple silicon Macs. Here are the setup steps, the requirements and when to use Hybrid instead.
What changed
- Computer can now run the model, the harness and the task entirely on the Mac. With your permission it works across local files and apps like Notes and Mail without sending personal data to the cloud.
- Local models: Qwen 3.6, or PPLX Pro (Perplexity's post-trained Qwen).
- Available to Pro, Max and Enterprise subscribers on supported Apple silicon Macs. Perplexity recommends 36 GB of memory or more.
- Hybrid Compute starts in the cloud and combines web research with local work on private files.
Set it up
- Download and open the latest Perplexity Mac app.
- Follow the in-app instructions to download and set up a local model.
Why: the model is a large download that runs on your own hardware, so check your free disk space and memory first.
- Choose fully local for the task.
Which mode to use
- Private files only, e.g. analysing your own portfolio export: fully local.
- Private files plus current web research: Hybrid Compute (part of it runs in the cloud).
Perplexity says running locally also gives you more control over credit spend.