Claude is available as a native app on iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows, all downloadable in a few minutes and all signed into the same account you use on the web — so your conversations, Projects, and usage allowance stay in sync no matter which device you’re on. This guide covers setup on every platform.
Claude AI on iPhone (iOS)
- Open the App Store and search for “Claude by Anthropic.”
- Tap Get to download and install — the app is free, with in-app access to paid plans if you choose to upgrade.
- Open the app and sign in with the same method you use on the web (Google, Apple, or email).
- Grant notification permissions if you want alerts when a long-running task or response completes.
The iOS app supports voice input, file and photo uploads directly from your camera roll, and the same Projects and Artifacts features available on the web.
Claude AI on Android
- Open the Google Play Store and search for “Claude by Anthropic.”
- Tap Install.
- Open the app and sign in using the same account details as your other devices.
- Allow relevant permissions (camera, microphone, notifications) based on which features you plan to use.
Feature parity between iOS and Android is close, though new features sometimes roll out to one platform slightly before the other during a staged release.
Claude AI on Desktop (Mac and Windows)
- Go to claude.ai/download in your browser.
- Choose the installer for your operating system — macOS or Windows.
- Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
- Launch the Claude app and sign in with your existing account.
The desktop app runs as a standalone application rather than requiring a browser tab to stay open, and on some plans supports additional local integrations that the browser version doesn’t, such as connecting to files and applications on your computer directly.
Do You Need the App, or Is the Browser Enough?
For most casual use, the web version at claude.ai works identically to the apps and requires no installation at all. The apps earn their place specifically for:
- Mobile convenience — quick questions or voice input while away from a computer.
- Desktop workflow integration — a dedicated window you can keep open alongside other work without a browser tab getting lost among dozens of others.
- Push notifications — useful if you’re running longer tasks and want to know the moment a response is ready.
Does the App Cost Anything Extra?
No. The app itself is free to download on every platform, and it uses the same free or paid plan tied to your account — there’s no separate app-only pricing. If you’re on the free plan on the web, you’re on the free plan in the app too, with the same usage allowance shared across every device. For the full breakdown of what each plan includes, see our guide on whether Claude AI is actually free.
Troubleshooting App-Specific Issues
- App won’t open or crashes on launch. Force-close it and reopen, or check for a pending update in your device’s app store — outdated app versions are the most common cause.
- Not signed in automatically. Sign-in doesn’t carry over between the web and the app automatically; you’ll need to sign in on the app separately using the same account method.
- Notifications not arriving. Check your device’s system-level notification settings for the Claude app specifically, since this is controlled by your phone or computer’s OS, not by Claude itself.
What About Claude Code?
Claude Code isn’t part of the mobile or desktop app described above — it’s a separate, terminal-based tool installed and run from your computer’s command line for development work. If building or deploying a project is your goal rather than general chat use, see our guide on building a website with Claude for where Claude Code fits into that process.
FAQ
Is the Claude AI app free to download?
Yes, on every platform — iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows. The app itself has no separate cost; it simply uses whichever plan, free or paid, is already tied to your account.
Do I need to sign in separately on each device?
Yes. Signing in on the web doesn’t automatically sign you in on the mobile or desktop app — each needs its own sign-in using the same account method (Google, Apple, or email), though once signed in, your conversations and usage allowance stay in sync across all of them.
Is there a difference between the iOS and Android Claude apps?
Feature parity is close between the two, though new features occasionally roll out to one platform slightly before the other during a staged release.
Does the Claude desktop app do anything the browser version can’t?
On some plans, yes — the desktop app can support additional local integrations, like connecting to files and applications directly on your computer, that the browser version doesn’t offer.
Is Claude Code included in the mobile or desktop app?
No. Claude Code is a separate, terminal-based tool installed and run from the command line for development work, distinct from the chat-focused mobile and desktop apps.