How to use Apple Intelligence in BoltAI

Apple Intelligence includes a model that runs on your Mac. Chat with it in BoltAI with no account and no API key.

Before you start

• macOS 26 or later.
• A Mac that supports Apple Intelligence.
• Apple Intelligence turned on in System Settings.

If you finished BoltAI's setup without adding a provider, BoltAI may have added it for you already, as Apple Intelligence (On-Device). Look for it in Settings › AI Providers.

Set up Apple Intelligence in BoltAI

1. Open Settings › AI Providers, click + and choose Apple Foundation Models. It's under Other Providers.
2. Click Next. There's nothing to fill in.
3. Make sure Apple Intelligence is ticked.
4. Click Add Service.

Start a chat with Apple Intelligence

Click the model name in the message box, press ⇧ ⌘ M, or type /model. Pick Apple Intelligence.

To start every new chat with it, right-click the model and choose Set Provider & Model as Default. See Choose and switch models.

Good to know

• Tools don't work with Apple Intelligence. The Tools menu shows Not supported.
• It works best for short chats. If a chat gets too long for it, start a new chat.
• For more models that run on your Mac, see Local Models.

If it doesn't work

• Apple Foundation Models isn't in the list: update to macOS 26 or later.
• BoltAI says Apple Intelligence is turned off: turn it on in System Settings.
• BoltAI says the model isn't ready yet: macOS is still downloading or preparing it. Try again shortly.
• BoltAI says this Mac is not eligible for Apple Intelligence: use Local Models or another provider instead.