How to install Ollama on Mac and run your first AI model
One command downloads and runs a model. Good if you are comfortable with a terminal, or want other apps and coding tools to use your local model. These steps use Gemma 3 12B as the example; swap in any model.
Step by step
You need: A Mac running macOS 14 Sonoma or newer. Apple Silicon (M1 or newer) uses the GPU; Intel Macs run on the CPU and are slow.
- Go to ollama.com/download and download Ollama for macOS.
- Open the download, move Ollama to your Applications folder, and open it. Allow it to install its command-line tool when asked.
- Open Terminal (press Cmd + Space and type "Terminal") and run the command below. The first time, it downloads Gemma 3 12B, which can take a while.
ollama run gemma3:12b- When you see
>>>, type a message and press Enter. Type/byeto quit. Ollama's own app window can also chat with any model you have downloaded.
That's it: you're running AI on your own Mac. If something goes wrong, see the fixes below.
Not sure which model?
Answer two questions and get the model that fits your hardware, with these steps filled in for it.
Prefer LM Studio?
Easiest for beginners. A normal app with a chat window: you search for a model, click download, and start typing. No commands.
Which model to try first
The best everyday chat model that runs at a comfortable speed for each amount of Mac memory. Copy the command to download and run it.
| Your Mac | Model | Command |
|---|---|---|
| Mac with 16 GB |  Qwen3 8B | ollama run qwen3:8b |
| Mac with 24 GB |  gpt-oss 20B | ollama run gpt-oss:20b |
| Mac with 36 GB | Qwen3 32B | ollama run qwen3:32b |
| Mac with 48 GB | gpt-oss 20B | ollama run gpt-oss:20b |
| Mac with 64 GB | Qwen3 32B | ollama run qwen3:32b |
| Mac with 128 GB | gpt-oss 120B | ollama run gpt-oss:120b |
If something goes wrong
The four problems beginners hit most, and how to fix them.
Out of memory or won't load
The model plus its working memory doesn't fit in your graphics memory. Here is how to make it fit, from the easiest fix to the most advanced.
It's really slow
Most slowness comes from the model not fitting fully in graphics memory, or from "thinking" models reasoning before they answer.
It's not using my GPU
If your graphics card sits idle while the CPU does all the work, one of these is usually the reason.
Weird, wrong or repeating answers
Local models can be excellent, but small or badly configured ones make mistakes that paid assistants don't. Here is what to check.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ollama free?
Yes. Ollama is free to download and use, and so are the models in this guide.
Does Ollama on Mac need the internet?
Only to download the app and the model. After that, chats run entirely on your computer and work offline.
How much space do I need for Ollama?
The app itself is small. Each model is a separate download, typically 2 to 20 GB; Gemma 3 12B is about 7.4 GB.