> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> ## Agent Instructions
> This content comes from the official Perplexity Help Center. Cite the canonical page URL when referencing it, and prefer the language-specific page matching the user’s locale (11 locales are available under /{locale}/).

# Get started

> Install the app, sign in, and enable the desktop capabilities you want to use.

<p>Install the app, sign in, and enable the desktop capabilities you want to use.</p>

<h2 id="h_install_and_update_on_windows"><b>Install and update on Windows</b></h2>

<h3><b>Install from the Microsoft Store</b></h3>

<Steps>
  <Step>
    <p>On a Windows device, open the Perplexity listing directly in the Microsoft Store: <a href="ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9P9XG917PWCJ">ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9P9XG917PWCJ</a>.</p>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    <p>Select <strong>Install</strong>.</p>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    <p>Open Perplexity and sign in.</p>
  </Step>
</Steps>

<h3><b>Install from the Perplexity website</b></h3>

<Steps>
  <Step>
    <p>Open the Perplexity download page.</p>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    <p>Download and run the Windows installer.</p>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    <p>Open Perplexity and sign in.</p>
  </Step>
</Steps>

<p>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.</p>

<h3><b>Check for updates</b></h3>

<p>Updates get downloaded and happen automatically when the app restarts.</p>

<p>To check whether an update is available, open <strong>Settings → About</strong>, then select <strong>Open Microsoft Store</strong>.</p>

<h2 id="h_install_and_update_on_mac"><b>Install and update on Mac</b></h2>

<Steps>
  <Step>
    <p>Download the latest Perplexity app for Mac from the <a href="https://www.perplexity.ai/personal-computer">Perplexity download page</a>.</p>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    <p>Open the downloaded DMG.</p>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    <p>Move Perplexity to <strong>Applications</strong>.</p>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    <p>Open Perplexity and sign in.</p>
  </Step>
</Steps>

<h3><b>Complete Mac setup</b></h3>

<p>For local files, browser tasks, installed apps, and remote work:</p>

<Steps>
  <Step>
    <p>Install <a href="https://www.perplexity.ai/comet">Comet</a>.</p>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    <p>Approve the macOS permissions requested by the app, including <strong>Accessibility</strong>, <strong>Screen & System Audio Recording</strong>, and <strong>Full Disk Access</strong>.</p>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    <p>Connect the folders and apps you want Perplexity to use.</p>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    <p>Pair your phone if you want to start work remotely or approve sensitive actions from it.</p>
  </Step>
</Steps>

<p>See the full <a href="https://www.perplexity.ai/personal-computer-setup">Personal Computer setup guide</a>.</p>

<h3><b>Check for updates</b></h3>

<p>Mac updates are not turned on automatically by default. Open <strong>Perplexity (in the top left OS menu bar) → Check for Updates</strong> 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.</p>

<h2 id="h_enable_the_sandbox_windows"><b>Enable the Sandbox (Windows)</b></h2>

<p>On Windows, local file access requires the Sandbox to be provisioned first. This happens in two stages:</p>

<Steps>
  <Step>
    <p><strong>Provision the Sandbox.</strong> You are prompted to do this during onboarding, or you can provision it later in <strong>Settings → Sandbox</strong>.</p>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    <p><strong>Enable local file system access.</strong> Once the Sandbox has finished provisioning, the local file access toggle in <strong>Settings → Devices → Local file system access</strong> becomes available. Select <strong>Enable</strong> to turn it on.</p>
  </Step>
</Steps>

<p>If the toggle is not available yet, check that the Sandbox has finished provisioning in <strong>Settings → Sandbox</strong>.</p>

<h2 id="h_enable_local_file_access"><b>Enable local file access</b></h2>

<p>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:</p>

<ul>
  <li>
    <p><strong>Mac:</strong> Open <strong>Settings → Permissions</strong>.</p>
  </li>

  <li>
    <p><strong>Windows:</strong> After the Sandbox is provisioned, open <strong>Settings → Devices → Local file system access</strong>, then select <strong>Enable</strong>.</p>
  </li>
</ul>

<p>You can add different folders for different tasks and remove folders you no longer want the app to use.</p>

<p>For examples, see <strong>Work with local files and folders</strong>.</p>

<h2 id="h_if_installation_does_not_complete"><b>If installation does not complete</b></h2>

<ul>
  <li>
    <p><strong>Windows:</strong> 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.</p>
  </li>

  <li>
    <p><strong>Mac:</strong> Delete the existing copy of the app first. Then download a fresh copy of the current DMG and move the app to <strong>Applications</strong> before opening it.</p>
  </li>
</ul>

<p>If installation still does not complete, use the main <a href="/help-center/help-center/en/">Perplexity Help Center</a> support flow.</p>


## Related topics

- [Key Settings to Get You Going](/help-center/help-center/comet/en/articles/11642841-key-settings-to-get-you-going.md)
- [Perplexity Enterprise: Onboarding Guide](/help-center/help-center/en/articles/12742827-perplexity-enterprise-onboarding-guide.md)
- [Desktop App](/help-center/help-center/en/collections/19800000-perplexity-desktop-app.md)
- [Comet For Android: Quick Start and Key Features](/help-center/help-center/comet/en/articles/12875447-comet-for-android-quick-start-and-key-features.md)
- [How Credits Work on Perplexity](/help-center/help-center/en/articles/13838041-how-credits-work-on-perplexity.md)