Set up Apple Intelligence.
Apple Intelligence lets you ask about a page without an API key or another AI account. Here is how to turn it on in AlliHat.
First, download AlliHat from the Mac App Store and turn it on in Safari. Already have it? You can start below.
Check your Mac first.
AlliHat's on-device AI needs macOS 26 or later and a Mac that supports Apple Intelligence. Turn on Apple Intelligence in System Settings and let its model finish downloading. Apple's availability and setup guide covers supported devices, languages, and regions.
Choose Apple Intelligence in AlliHat.
- Open a webpage in Safari and open AlliHat.
- Open the three-dot menu, choose Model, then Apple Intelligence. If it is unavailable, the picker tells you why.
- Start with a question about the page. You do not need to paste a key or sign in to another service.
"Explain this paragraph in simpler words."
Good for a quick explanation.
Use it for short summaries, rewrites, and questions about text. The model runs on your Mac, so those requests stay on the device.
It has a smaller context window than the cloud options. If a long page is too much, select the paragraph you care about. For web search, Agent Mode, or connected-app tasks, choose a cloud option such as ChatGPT.
If it is still unavailable.
Check your macOS version, then look in System Settings to make sure Apple Intelligence is enabled and finished downloading. If your Mac cannot use it, you can still run AlliHat with another AI provider on macOS 14 or later.
A few common questions.
Does Apple Intelligence need an API key?
No. It runs on your Mac and does not need an AI provider account or an API key.
Does this make AlliHat free?
There is no separate AI usage bill for the on-device model. AlliHat still has a 7-day free trial, then costs $29.99/year.
Why is Apple Intelligence unavailable in AlliHat?
AlliHat's on-device option needs macOS 26 or later, an eligible Mac, Apple Intelligence enabled, and its model download completed. The model picker shows the reason when it is unavailable.
Still stuck?
Email nate+allihat@ninjasandrobots.com with what you tried and the message you saw.