> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://elephas.app/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Download and Install Elephas on Mac

> Download the Elephas DMG, drag Elephas to your Applications folder and open it for the first time. A step-by-step install guide for Apple Silicon Macs.

<Warning>
  Draft. This article depends on an open product question and is not ready to publish.
</Warning>

To install Elephas on your Mac, download the DMG from elephas.app, drag Elephas into your Applications folder, and open it. The whole install takes about a minute.

## Before you start

* You need an Apple Silicon Mac (M1 or later) with macOS 14 Sonoma or later. See [system requirements](/docs/getting-started/system-requirements).
* You need an internet connection. The first time you open Elephas, it downloads about 50 MB of on-device components.
* You do not need an account to install. You sign in later, when you ask your first question.

## Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download Elephas">
    Go to [elephas.app](https://elephas.app) and download Elephas for Mac. Your browser saves a file ending in `.dmg` to your Downloads folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the DMG">
    Double-click the `.dmg` file. A Finder window opens with the Elephas icon and a shortcut to your Applications folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Drag Elephas to Applications">
    Drag the Elephas icon onto the Applications folder. Wait for the copy to finish, then eject the disk image (click the eject button next to it in the Finder sidebar).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Elephas">
    Open your Applications folder and double-click **Elephas**. macOS may ask whether you are sure you want to open an app downloaded from the internet. Click **Open**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Let Elephas finish setting up">
    The welcome screen appears and Elephas starts downloading its on-device components. A small line at the bottom of the window shows **Getting Elephas ready** and a percentage. You can keep going while it downloads. See [first-run downloads](/docs/getting-started/first-run-downloads).
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Keep Elephas in your Dock: while it is open, right-click its Dock icon and choose **Options › Keep in Dock**.
</Tip>

## What happens next

Elephas walks you through adding a few documents and asking your first question. Follow the [quick start](/docs/getting-started/quick-start).

Elephas keeps your library in your user folder, not inside the app. Replacing or updating the app does not touch your documents or chats. Updates arrive inside the app, so you do not need to download a new DMG each time.

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="macOS says Elephas cannot be opened">
    This usually means macOS could not verify the app, or you opened it straight from the DMG. Make sure you dragged Elephas into Applications first, then open it from there. For more fixes, see [Elephas won't open after installing](/docs/troubleshooting/app-wont-open-on-install).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="macOS says you can't use this version of Elephas">
    This message appears on Macs older than macOS 14. Elephas needs macOS 14 Sonoma or later. Update macOS from **System Settings › General › Software Update**, then open Elephas again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Setup stops with a download error">
    Check your internet connection. If you are on a hotel or office Wi-Fi that asks you to sign in, sign in through your browser first, then click **Try again**. See [first-run download failed](/docs/troubleshooting/first-run-download-failed).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Do I need an administrator password to install?">
    Copying an app into the Applications folder may ask for an administrator password, depending on how your Mac is set up. Elephas itself does not need administrator rights to run.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I install Elephas next to classic Elephas?">
    See [moving from classic Elephas](/docs/getting-started/moving-from-classic-elephas) before you install.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related articles

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="System requirements" href="/docs/getting-started/system-requirements" />

  <Card title="First-run downloads" href="/docs/getting-started/first-run-downloads" />

  <Card title="Create your account and sign in" href="/docs/getting-started/create-account-and-sign-in" />

  <Card title="Quick start" href="/docs/getting-started/quick-start" />
</CardGroup>


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