Perplexity Computer's fully local mode for Mac was announced on 20 October 2026: the model, orchestration and task execution all run on the device, and planning, reasoning and file work can be done without an internet connection. The free plan cannot use this mode — only Pro, Max and Enterprise subscribers can turn it on, so check your subscription tier and your computer's specs before installing, to avoid wasted effort.
Check Your Computer and Version First
Fully local mode only supports Apple silicon Macs. Perplexity recommends 36 GB or more of unified memory, and the Mac app needs to be updated to version 26.42.0 or higher. Don't confuse it with the other mode, Hybrid Compute: that one requires 24 GB of unified memory and macOS 15 or higher, and works by having a large cloud model plan while a small local model handles private files. In fully local mode, by contrast, the whole task starts locally, and planning and reasoning happen locally too. If your computer doesn't meet the requirements or the app is too old, the local mode entry point won't appear in the app.
Install It in the App in Three Steps
First, update the Perplexity Mac app to the latest version. Second, choose a local model in the app and download it following the in-app instructions. There are two local models to choose from: Qwen 3.6, or PPLX Pro, Perplexity's post-trained version of Qwen 3.6 optimised for Computer tasks. Third, choose fully local mode when you start a task. Tasks handled by the local model don't consume Computer credits; steps that go to the cloud are still billed at cloud rates. Once authorised, it can operate local files and native Mac apps such as Notes, Messages, Mail and Numbers. Code and tool calls run in an isolated sandbox, and files are only uploaded to the cloud after you approve.
What Not to Expect It to Do Offline
Steps that need real-time information, browser actions or connected apps can't be done in local mode; they still need to go online and be approved before running in the cloud. Cloud features such as memory are also unavailable in local mode. After installing, try a purely local task first — for example, organising local files or pulling information from local documents — to confirm the model and sandbox run smoothly, before moving on to tasks that need the internet. The local version for Windows and Linux is called Portable Computer and follows a different route; it is not the same thing as the Mac version.
