Offline AI on your iPhone.
Anvil is a personal AI assistant that runs on your phone. Download a model once, then chat, write and create without a connection.
On a flight, on a train with patchy reception, or when you simply want to keep a conversation local, Anvil can work with the model stored on your iPhone. You don’t need an Anvil account. Anvil is currently in beta; join beta testing to try it.
What does “offline AI” mean?
A local language model generates replies using your phone’s processor and memory. Once the model is downloaded, that step does not need a remote AI server. In Anvil, your chats, notes, tasks and saved memories are stored on the device.
Offline does not mean every feature works without the internet. A new model download, a purchase, optional iCloud backup and Super Mode’s web answers still need a connection. You choose when to use those features.
Looking for an offline ChatGPT alternative?
Anvil offers a familiar way to ask questions, brainstorm and rewrite text using a model on your iPhone. It is an independent app, not a version of ChatGPT, and it does not run OpenAI’s ChatGPT models.
A phone-sized model has limits. Answer quality, speed and the amount of text it can handle depend on the model and device. It can make mistakes, and a local model does not learn today’s news just because it is installed. Anvil’s optional Super Mode can fetch online answers with linked sources when you need current information.
What can you do without internet?
- Chat and write: draft a message, brainstorm a title, rewrite a paragraph or work through an idea.
- Work with your own text: attach a PDF stored on your device and ask about its text. Anvil also reads text in photos and screenshots on your iPhone.
- Keep useful details: save notes, tasks and memories for later conversations.
- Create pictures: download Anvil Dream or Dream Lite first, then generate images on your phone. Core includes one image a day; Pro adds unlimited generation.
- Talk aloud: Pro’s Talk Mode uses on-device speech recognition and playback once the required speech assets and a local model are available.
Set up Anvil before going offline
- Join the iPhone beta and install Anvil. Check the current device requirements and leave several gigabytes of storage available.
- On Wi-Fi, download Anvil Core, about 2.6 GB. Let the download finish. For pictures, also download an image model from Settings › Image Generation.
- Choose the downloaded local model and leave Super Mode off. Open any files you want to use so they are available on your phone.
- Turn on airplane mode and try a short chat before your trip. If you plan to use Talk Mode, test it too so you know the speech assets are ready.
You can also add compatible models from Hugging Face or Files. Compatibility and storage needs vary by model. See model licences for the models Anvil distributes.
What stays private?
Local chat and image generation run on your iPhone. There are no ads or advertising tracking, and no account is required for Anvil. Passcode lock is free in Settings › Security.
Optional online features have different data flows. Super Mode sends your question off the device, and reports can include content you choose to send. iCloud backup stores encrypted content in your own account; end-to-end protection requires Apple’s Advanced Data Protection. Read the privacy policy for the details and controls.
Is Anvil free?
Anvil Core is free, including local chat, attachments, memory, passcode lock, one image a day, and up to 10 notes and 10 open tasks. Anvil Pro adds unlimited image generation, Talk Mode, unlimited notes and tasks, custom instructions, response controls, themes and app icons.
Pro is $4.99 a month or $29.99 a year in the US, billed as an auto-renewing subscription through the App Store. Prices vary by storefront. See the Anvil plans and subscription support.
Can I use Anvil on Android?
Anvil is currently for iPhone. You can vote for Android support if that is the device you want to use.