Perplexity's desktop capabilities live inside the regular Perplexity macOS app — there is no separate Mac mini application. Install the regular Perplexity app on the Mac mini and sign in with your Perplexity account, the same way as on any other Mac. A supported Mac mini needs macOS 15 or later.
To have a device perform work, the regular Perplexity app must be installed, online, awake, and signed in on that specific Mac. Installing the app on one Mac does not make another Mac available. For example, if you plan to trigger work from your iPhone that should sometimes run on your Mac and sometimes on your Mac mini, both Macs need the app installed and signed in.
Follow the Personal Computer setup guide on each Mac: install Perplexity and Comet, approve the requested macOS permissions, connect the folders and apps the device should use, and pair your phone for remote starts and approvals.
Why use a Mac mini?
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Keep a dedicated computer that can be left on at home for longer work, rather than tying up your primary laptop.
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Use the local folders, Comet browser, and installed apps available on that Mac.
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Start or continue work remotely from another Perplexity surface, approving sensitive steps from your phone while the Mac mini keeps working.
Keep the Mac mini available
Keep the Mac mini online, awake, and signed in when a task needs its local resources. A task may pause if the app closes, the Mac disconnects, or an action is waiting for approval.
Which computer performs the work?
When a task uses resources on the Mac mini, the actions happen on that Mac mini. Its local files, apps, browser state, permissions, and network connection determine what the task can use.
If several computers are available, choose the device that should perform the work. Another computer being awake does not automatically move the task away from the selected device.