Install the app, sign in, and enable the desktop capabilities you want to use.
Install and update on Windows
Install from the Microsoft Store
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On a Windows device, open the Perplexity listing directly in the Microsoft Store: ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9P9XG917PWCJ.
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Select Install.
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Open Perplexity and sign in.
Install from the Perplexity website
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Open the Perplexity download page.
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Download and run the Windows installer.
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Open Perplexity and sign in.
The website installer uses the Microsoft Store installation and update system in the background. You do not need to open the Store separately during installation.
Check for updates
Updates get downloaded and happen automatically when the app restarts.
To check whether an update is available, open Settings → About, then select Open Microsoft Store.
Install and update on Mac
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Download the latest Perplexity app for Mac from the Perplexity download page.
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Open the downloaded DMG.
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Move Perplexity to Applications.
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Open Perplexity and sign in.
Complete Mac setup
For local files, browser tasks, installed apps, and remote work:
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Install Comet.
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Approve the macOS permissions requested by the app, including Accessibility, Screen & System Audio Recording, and Full Disk Access.
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Connect the folders and apps you want Perplexity to use.
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Pair your phone if you want to start work remotely or approve sensitive actions from it.
See the full Personal Computer setup guide.
Check for updates
Mac updates are not turned on automatically by default. Open Perplexity (in the top left OS menu bar) → Check for Updates to check whether an update is available. If an update is available, you can install it from there, and opt in to automatic updates using the checkbox when it is available.
Enable the Sandbox (Windows)
On Windows, local file access requires the Sandbox to be provisioned first. This happens in two stages:
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Provision the Sandbox. You are prompted to do this during onboarding, or you can provision it later in Settings → Sandbox.
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Enable local file system access. Once the Sandbox has finished provisioning, the local file access toggle in Settings → Devices → Local file system access becomes available. Select Enable to turn it on.
If the toggle is not available yet, check that the Sandbox has finished provisioning in Settings → Sandbox.
Enable local file access
The app may ask for local file access during onboarding or in a thread when your request needs files on the computer. You can also manage access in Settings:
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Mac: Open Settings → Permissions.
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Windows: After the Sandbox is provisioned, open Settings → Devices → Local file system access, then select Enable.
You can add different folders for different tasks and remove folders you no longer want the app to use.
For examples, see Work with local files and folders.
If installation does not complete
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Windows: Confirm that you are using the current Microsoft Store link. If one installation entry point does not work, try the other: the Store listing or the Perplexity website.
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Mac: Delete the existing copy of the app first. Then download a fresh copy of the current DMG and move the app to Applications before opening it.
If installation still does not complete, use the main Perplexity Help Center support flow.