Perplexity AI

Perplexity for Mac combines AI-assisted questions and research with Personal Computer, an agent that works with connected folders, applications and web services. It suits researchers and people who want help coordinating repetitive tasks across information already on their Mac.

Features

• Ask questions and conduct research through Perplexity's connected AI service.
• Connect folders for agent-assisted searching, reading and writing.
• Use a floating task bar and voice interaction to request work from the desktop.
• Coordinate native Mac applications and configured service connectors.
• Use Comet for web navigation and automation, with sensitive actions kept under user control.
• Pair a phone for approvals and remote task control while the Mac remains available.

Installation and requirements

Download the official DMG, move the app into Applications, or use brew install --cask perplexity. The current official download page, Sparkle feed and Homebrew cask require macOS 15 Sequoia or later. An older Academy article mentions macOS 14; use the current installer requirement. The cask lists Intel and Apple silicon macOS platforms, but the publisher's individual advanced features may have separate requirements; exact hardware requirements for every feature were not verified. A Mac mini is recommended for unattended operation, not mandatory for ordinary app use. Comet is an additional browser dependency for the documented web-agent workflow.

The current version 26.39.0 DMG is 211,206,672 bytes, confirmed by the official update feed and an HTTP HEAD response. This is download size, not installed storage or storage for downloaded models. No named Homebrew cask conflict is declared.

Permissions, accounts and cost

Sign in with a Perplexity account. The official setup guide requests Accessibility, Screen & System Audio Recording and Full Disk Access for Personal Computer's desktop and file operations. Choose connected folders and services carefully; connecting an account can expose its authorized content to agent workflows. Phone pairing supports two-factor approval of sensitive steps. These permissions apply to the agent setup, rather than a claim that every search requires all of them.

This is a proprietary service-backed application. Perplexity offers free and paid plans; advanced Computer features, model access, usage allowances and enterprise controls depend on the active entitlement. Confirm the current plan terms before relying on automated work. Account services, research and cloud orchestration require network access; the checked sources do not establish that the complete application works offline.

Data and practical cautions

Generated answers can be incomplete or wrong. Inspect original sources before using results for important decisions. Agent workflows can read or modify files and operate signed-in services, so keep backups and review sensitive actions. Consider your organization's data rules before connecting confidential folders or accounts. Leaving a Mac available for remote work requires deliberate account security and approval settings.

Version evidence

The official Mac update feed identifies 26.39.0 and its installer but supplies no release-note text. Exact Mac-specific changes for catalog versions 26.39.0, 26.38.0 and 26.37.1 were not confirmed; no generic or mobile-app notes are substituted for them.

Sources: Official Mac page, Official setup guide, Official Academy explanation, Official update feed, Plans, Privacy notice.