This guide covers downloads, installation, and first setup. Ordinary Claude Chat is available on Free and higher plans. Claude Code and Cowork have separate plan, permission, and system requirements; they are not prerequisites for ordinary chat.
For a delivered account, first complete the web account check. After installation, you should receive a test reply and reopen the same account after quitting all processes.
Choose a platform
- Web: no installation; check the account, network, and service first.
- macOS: macOS 11+; the Universal installer supports Intel and Apple Silicon.
- Windows: Windows 10+; explicitly choose x64 or ARM64.
- Mobile: enter App Store or Google Play from the official page; follow current store compatibility requirements.
- Linux Beta: Ubuntu 22.04+ or Debian 12+, x64/ARM64; prefer the official apt repository.
Identify official downloads
Start from Claude downloads. Avoid advertisements, third-party hosts, and separate Pro installers. Ordinary macOS/Windows installation does not require pasted commands. On Linux, use only the apt commands in Anthropic’s official instructions. Do not disable Defender, Gatekeeper, or antivirus software.
Even on claude.ai, distinguish official pages from user-generated shared content.
Install
macOS
- Download the Universal DMG.
- Open it and move Claude to Applications.
- An installation in
~/Applicationscan be updated by the current user;/Applicationsneeds the corresponding write permission.
Windows x64 or ARM64
Choose the correct architecture on the official page. Ordinary installation does not enable Cowork. On managed devices, let either the app or MDM manage updates, avoiding conflicting update mechanisms.
iOS or Android
Use the official store link, verify the Claude name and Anthropic developer, and check compatibility. If the iOS help page differs from App Store requirements, follow the current store listing.
Linux Beta
Configure the official apt repository so updates use the system package manager. A separately downloaded .deb does not automatically enable routine package updates. Check x64 versus ARM64 before installing.
First sign-in and settings
- Use Google sign-in or a secure email link.
- For a sign-in email opened on another device, complete the code flow shown on the original device.
- Check language, notifications, and updates.
- macOS Quick Entry needs macOS 12+; voice dictation needs macOS 14+.
- Quick Entry defaults to a double press of Option; you can choose
Option+Spaceor a custom shortcut. - Quick Entry, screenshots/window sharing, and voice require Accessibility, Screen Recording, and Speech Recognition permissions respectively. Grant them only when needed.
Verify the installation
- Ask for the reply
Installation check completeand confirm ordinary Chat works. - If the app and plan offer upload, test a small nonsensitive file, preview, and deletion. Missing upload support does not establish an installation failure.
- Quit all Claude processes and reopen the same account.
- Record the OS, CPU architecture, Claude version, installation path, and error. On Linux, note apt versus
.deb.
Set up Cowork and Computer Use separately
Working chat does not mean Cowork is configured. Cowork needs a supported plan and additional system features. Full Windows Cowork needs administrator access, Virtual Machine Platform, and a restart.
Use a dedicated working directory, keep credentials and private or financial records outside it, and require human approval for deletion, payments, sending, and system changes.
Troubleshoot
| Symptom | Next step |
|---|---|
| Installation or architecture failure | Recheck the official download, OS, architecture, disk, and organization restrictions; use the Universal package on macOS |
| Blank window | Test the web app and Anthropic Status; if web works, quit all Claude processes, update the official version, and reopen |
| Sign-in button or email link fails | Check the original method, mailbox, and device; inspect spam/quarantine and mail from @mail.anthropic.com |
| Updates fail or packages are duplicated | Check macOS path/write access; use one Windows update manager; use apt or manually track .deb updates on Linux |
| Shortcut or permission conflict | Change shortcuts in Settings → General and grant only the missing permission needed for the feature |
Do not run unverified cache-clearing, xattr, re-signing, or security-disabling commands.
Permissions and privacy
Grant microphone, screen, accessibility, local-file, and extension access only for features you use. Do not test uploads with passwords, codes, financial data, or personal records. Follow IT controls on managed devices.
Sources and review date
Reviewed on 2026-08-31. This translation preserves that date. Claude iOS help and App Store requirements may differ; follow the current store listing.