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Desktop App

Get started, work with local files and apps, use Remote Access, and troubleshoot the Perplexity app for Mac and Windows.

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About the AppThe app brings Perplexity to Windows and Mac. In addition to the functionality available on the web, it can work with files and folders on your computer, use supported desktop apps and browsers, and make that device available for Remote Access.
Get StartedInstall the app, sign in, and enable the desktop capabilities you want to use.
Upgrade from the Old AppOlder Windows and Mac apps do not upgrade to the new app automatically. Install the new app, sign in, then delete the old one.
Work with Local Files and FoldersThe app can work directly with files and folders on your computer. You decide which folders it can use.
Add Files to a Request and Find Generated FilesAttaching a file is different from giving the app access to a folder.
Work with Browsers and AppsThe floating task bar opens Perplexity while you work in another app. It is available on Windows and Mac.
Find Projects, Threads, and Previous WorkAll of your sessions — Ask threads and Computer tasks — appear together in the app's sidebar; there are no separate tabs for each. Open History from the sidebar to browse them.
Use the App on a Mac MiniPerplexity'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.
Use Remote AccessRemote Access lets you start, continue, and monitor desktop work from another Perplexity surface, including another desktop, mobile, or the web.
Fix Local File and Folder AccessUse this article when the app cannot find, read, create, or change a local file, or when the folder option is missing.
Fix a Task That Is Stuck or Did Not Create a FileOpen Perplexity in your browser and find the task. The task may have continued successfully even if the app stopped updating.
Fix Crashes, Blank Windows, or High Resource UseClose and reopen the app, confirm that the current version is installed, and restart the computer if the app remains unavailable.