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Step 9 of 9 · about 20 minutes

Install the Claude app on your computer and your phone

By the endYou have the Claude app on your computer and your phone, both signed in to the same account.

Your app is for:
Your computer:

So far you used Claude in the browser. The app for your computer does everything the browser does, plus it has the Code tab, where your app gets built from Part 4. The app on your phone is handy for sending photos of sketches and for asking questions away from your desk.

On your computer

On a Mac

Your Mac needs macOS 13 (Ventura) or newer. Part 1 showed how to check and update it.

  1. In your browser, go to claude.com/download.
  2. Click Download for macOS. A file downloads. Its name starts with "Claude" and ends in .dmg.
  3. Open the Downloads folder (Part 1 showed where) and double-click the file.
  4. A small window opens showing the Claude icon and an Applications folder. Drag the Claude icon onto the Applications folder and let go. Wait for the copy to finish.
  5. Close that small window. You can also drag the white disk icon named "Claude" from your Desktop to the Trash. The app is already copied.
  6. Open the Applications folder and double-click Claude. Or press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type Claude, and press Return.
  7. The first time, your Mac may ask whether you are sure you want to open it. Click Open.
  8. The app shows a Sign in or Log in button. Click it. Your browser opens, already signed in, and asks to send you back to the app. Click Open Claude or Allow.
  9. The app now shows the same chat screen as the browser, with your chats in the sidebar.

Keep it handy: with Claude open, right-click (or Control + click) its icon in the Dock, choose Options, then Keep in Dock.

On a Windows PC

Your PC needs Windows 10 or newer. Part 1 showed how to check and update it.

  1. In your browser, go to claude.com/download.
  2. Find the Windows section and click Download. A file downloads. Its name starts with "Claude" and ends in .exe. (There is a second button marked Windows (arm 64). It is only for the rare laptops with an Arm chip; if the normal one refuses to install, come back for it. The page also offers the Microsoft Store; that works too.)
  3. If Edge shows a warning next to the download, use the steps from Part 1: three dots, Keep, Show more, Keep anyway. This file came from Claude's official page.
  4. Open the Downloads folder and double-click the file.
  5. If a blue box says Windows protected your PC, click More info, then Run anyway. If Windows asks Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?, check that it names Claude or Anthropic, then click Yes.
  6. The installer runs by itself and opens Claude. If it does not, press Windows, type claude, and press Enter.
  7. The app shows a Sign in or Log in button. Click it. Your browser opens, already signed in, and asks to send you back to the app. Click Open Claude or Allow.
  8. The app now shows the same chat screen as the browser, with your chats in the sidebar.

Keep it handy: with Claude open, right-click its icon on the taskbar and click Pin to taskbar.

A look around the app

At the top of the sidebar are tabs. One is Chat, which is what you've been using. Another is Code. You may see others; ignore them. If you only see icons, hover over one to see its name. Don't click Code yet. On the Free plan it asks you to upgrade; Part 4 starts there properly.

On your phone

On iPhone

Your iPhone needs iOS 18 or newer.

  1. Open the App Store app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Search at the bottom right, type Claude by Anthropic and tap Search on the keyboard.
  3. Find the one made by Anthropic and tap Get. The direct link is https://apps.apple.com/us/app/claude-by-anthropic/id6473753684.
  4. Your iPhone asks you to confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or your Apple account password. That password goes to Apple, not Claude, so it's fine.
  5. When the button says Open, tap it.
  6. Sign in the same way as on the computer: Continue with Google, or your email and Continue with email. The email link opens on the phone and signs you in directly.
  7. Your chats appear in the phone app. The two stay in step from now on.
On Android

Your phone needs Android 8.0 or newer.

  1. Open Google Play on your phone.
  2. Tap the search box at the top, type Claude by Anthropic and tap the search button on the keyboard.
  3. Find the one made by Anthropic and tap Install. The direct link is https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.anthropic.claude.
  4. When the button says Open, tap it.
  5. Sign in the same way as on the computer: Continue with Google, or your email and Continue with email. The email link opens on the phone and signs you in directly.
  6. Your chats appear in the phone app. The two stay in step from now on.

Last checked October 27, 2026