Perplexity’s AI Computer can now perform tasks without internet on Macs, details here

HIGHLIGHTS

Perplexity Computer can process local files and interact with Mac apps without sending data to the cloud.

The local AI mode supports tasks such as drafting emails, analysing spreadsheets, reviewing portfolios and managing meetings.

The feature is available to Pro, Max and Enterprise users on supported Macs, with local and Hybrid modes.

AI tech company Perplexity has announced that its Computer AI can run entirely in the local environment on supported Mac PCs. This can help users execute tasks locally without worrying about data being sent to the cloud. When given access, Computer can interact with local files and apps such as Mail, Notes, Messages, Numbers and more “without sending data to the cloud”. In contrast, the company recently introduced Hybrid Compute for cloud-based frontier reasoning and research.

Perplexity said running Computer locally will ensure files are processed on the device, ensuring private and sensitive data remains on Mac computers. The local mode will use the processor’s potential to get things done using the “Qwen 3.6 or PPLX Pro” model. Local Computer can examine to-do lists, check for event updates in apps, scrub information from Excel sheets, prepare task-based status updates and send meeting invites.

Also Read: You can now lock chats in ChatGPT: Here is how

Plus, it can review portfolios, frame client proposals, draft emails and check conversations in Mac apps to flag deadlines and requests, create to-do lists, write follow-ups, gather requested local documents, among other things. Perplexity noted a user can run a portfolio analysis using the downloaded data locally, while using Hybrid Compute to include information on current market trends.

Perplexity Computer can now run fully local on your Mac. Work with your native Mac apps and local files, and run tasks without sending sensitive data to the cloud. The model and the agent both run on your Mac. Available now in the Perplexity Mac app. https://t.co/tnvCgCXD7v

— Perplexity (@perplexity_ai) October 20, 2026

A query can be escalated to one of the more than 15 frontier cloud models for “current information, browser use and connected apps”. For coding and tool execution, actions are performed in an “isolated sandbox” setting, with controlled access to apps and files. The recent fully local mode update comes amid the data privacy risks surrounding AI models acting rogue with the files and data of users and enterprises.

Also Read: Perplexity had the headstart In AI search: So what went wrong?

Perplexity Computer: Supported Mac devices and availability

Local Computer on Mac will be available for Perplexity Pro, Max, and Enterprise users in the Perplexity Mac app. Supported Mac devices include a Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro with 36GB or more unified memory. Users can follow the in-app instructions to download and set up the local model from the two available options (Qwen 3.6 and PPLX Pro) and choose to run tasks “fully local” or in “Hybrid” mode.

Vikas Yadav

Vikas, a Copy Editor at Digit, writes to express his interest in technology. He covers consumer-centric tech news while hunting the day's most "VFM" smartphone deal. Plus, this curious geek enjoys digging into the last-mile intricacies of latest gadgets. Before Digit, he reported for Jagran English. Off work, you'll find him emotionally attached to historical sites or lost in tales of India's past. Simply put, tech is his 9-to-5, the rest is history.