Meta AI is now available as a more capable desktop app for Mac

Meta has released a dedicated Mac desktop app for Meta AI, version 1.0 beta, weighing 16MB, running natively on Apple silicon with macOS 15 or later. The app includes Quick Invoke via Option-Space, dictation, window context gathering, and features like Media, Artifacts, scheduled tasks, and an 'About Me' section. This launch follows Meta's recent AI releases, including Muse Spark, Muse-powered image generation, and Muse Code.

Meta continues to get serious about its AI technology. The latest sign? A dedicated Mac app for Meta AI. Meta joins a crowded field of AI apps for the Mac The new Meta AI desktop app https://ai.meta.com/meta-ai/assistant/ is version 1.0 beta at launch and weighs just 16MB once installed. Based on initial inspection, it runs natively on Apple silicon Macs with macOS 15 or later, using an AppKit and SwiftUI shell with WebKit for richer chat content. In other words, this is not an Electron app or a repackaged iPad release. It includes Mac-specific hooks, making the desktop experience more robust than the Meta AI mobile app. Quick Invoke uses Option-Space to place a compact Meta AI composer over whatever you are doing. A separate dictation feature lets you hold a shortcut, speak, and have the resulting words typed into any app, from Mail and documents to code editors. Meta AI can also attach another Mac window to a conversation. With Screen Recording and Accessibility permission, the app reads the window’s visible text and captures a screenshot for the next question. This is context gathering rather than computer control for now. Beyond chat, the sidebar includes Media, Artifacts, scheduled tasks, conversation history, and an “About Me” personalization section. Users can switch among thinking modes, attach files, generate media, and create recurring briefings or reminders. The app also includes the ability to hide the Dock icon, allowing it to be invoked with a keyboard shortcut instead. Meta’s recent AI push The Mac app is the latest in a steady run of releases. In April, Meta replaced Llama with Muse Spark https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/08/goodbye-llama-meta-unveils-muse-spark-ai-with-new-contemplating-mode/ . A May update then expanded Meta AI https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/12/meta-ai-app-enhanced-with-new-features-using-muse-spark-heres-whats-new/ with more natural voice conversations and live camera-based assistance. July brought Muse-powered image generation https://9to5mac.com/2026/07/07/meta-ai-app-adds-image-generation-also-powering-whatsapp-and-instagram-features/ to Meta AI, WhatsApp, and Instagram, although Meta quickly removed one feature https://9to5mac.com/2026/07/10/meta-removes-feature-that-let-users-generate-ai-images-from-public-instagram-posts/ that generated images from public Instagram posts. Meta AI also moved into Threads DMs https://9to5mac.com/2026/07/27/threads-adds-private-meta-ai-chats-without-cluttering-your-feed/ for private chats. Most recently, Meta launched Muse Code https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/05/meta-launches-muse-code-ai-coding-agent-for-macos-and-linux/ , a terminal-based AI coding agent for macOS and Linux. Do more with your Apple products Apple AirTag 2 | Add Find My tracking to keys, bags, bikes, more https://amzn.to/4vjNWN1 AirPods 4 | Apple’s newest wireless headphones https://amzn.to/43ndewV AirPods Pro 3 | Apple’s best wireless headphones https://amzn.to/4ut3FYp Beats USB-A to USB-C Cable | The official CarPlay cable https://amzn.to/4mpKs7K FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. https://9to5mac.com/about/ affiliate our homepage http://9to5mac.com/ for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on exclusive stories https://9to5mac.com/feature/exclusive/ , reviews https://9to5mac.com/guides/review/ , how-tos https://9to5mac.com/guides/how-to/ , and subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/9to5mac