How to Use Grok AI on Your Apple Devices

Apple users have access to various AI tools, but one that stands out is Grok from xAI. This AI assistant has been around for a while and offers a range of features across different platforms.

Grok’s standalone iPhone and iPad app provides an excellent everyday experience, with support for Apple Vision as well. However, there isn’t an official native chat app for macOS yet.

On the other hand, users can access Grok through its website at grok.com or use the browser-based version in Safari or Chrome on their Macs. This is still considered the cleanest ‘app-like’ experience available on a Mac.

The recommended way to get started with Grok on your iPhone and iPad is by downloading the official app from the App Store, which requires iOS 17 or later. The listing should be from xAI/X Corp (App ID: 6670324846).

Once you’ve downloaded the app, sign in using your xAI account, Apple Account, or email address. This will give you access to various features such as real-time answers with web and X search, deeper research modes, image generation, and more.

The official Grok app on iPhone and iPad also supports voice mode, including live camera functionality that allows the AI to see what you’re seeing in real-time. Additionally, users can analyze photos, documents, and links using this feature.

Users who want character-style chats with their AI companions (Ani, Rudi, or Valentine) can opt for optional AI companions within the app. Model switching is also available inside the app as newer Grok 4.x models roll out.

For those with older iPhones that cannot run iOS 17, there’s an alternative: using the X app or accessing grok.com through Safari instead.

Users of iPhone and iPad can further customize their experience by adding a Home Screen or Lock Screen widget from the widget gallery. They can also use Action Buttons to access Grok shortcuts if available in the app.

Siri Shortcuts still work with Grok actions, providing users with more flexibility when interacting with this AI assistant.

Grok Bot is another product offered by xAI that provides AI teammates (agents) for specific tasks and tools. This separate app requires iOS 18 or later on iPhone and has different requirements compared to the main Grok app.

Access to Grok Bot started as a tight beta, but it’s now available more widely depending on your plan with xAI. Eligibility still depends on your subscription level; check the App Store listing before signing in.

For those who prefer using their Macs for chatting and other tasks, grok.com is recommended. Users can sign in to access various features such as research assistance, coding help, and more within a web-based interface.

Grok Bot offers an official macOS app (Apple silicon and Intel builds) that allows users to work with AI teammates directly on their computers. This product has different requirements compared to the main Grok chat experience.

The X.com website also integrates Grok for seamless access across devices. Users can run the full iOS Grok app on their Mac screen using iPhone Mirroring, which is available on recent macOS versions and paired iPhones.

However, users should be aware that there are unofficial ‘Grok Desktop’ wrappers available online or through third-party download sites. These do not provide an official experience and may pose security risks.

The xAI team has mentioned the development of native Grok chat desktop apps but hasn’t replaced grok.com yet.

For those new to using AI assistants, here’s a quick rundown on how to get started with Grok: sign up for a free account or use your existing one. Be specific when asking questions and provide constraints where possible. Model switching is available within the app as newer models roll out.