What works offline
Prompt processing, image generation, the queue, prompt history, Gallery, settings reuse, metadata, watermarks, and installed LoRAs work locally. You can take the Mac away from a connection and keep creating.
What still needs a connection
A connection is needed to download a new model, retrieve Apple’s optional ML Enhance model, make a Mac App Store purchase, or restore a purchase. Those requests do not include your generation prompts or results.
Pick the download size that fits
The smallest supported option is FLUX.2 Klein at about 4.7 GB. Other choices range from about 6.7 GB to 22.2 GB. Model Manager shows the size before you start and can resume an unfinished download.
If you plan to work without internet access, prepare while you still have a connection. Download the model you want, wait for the app to finish checking its files, and make one test image. This confirms that the model is ready before you leave home, the office, or another place with reliable internet.
Offline generation is useful on a flight, during travel, or anywhere with a slow connection. It also removes the small delays that can come from uploading a prompt and downloading a finished image. The Mac still needs enough free storage and memory, and generation may use more power than ordinary office work.
Working offline does not mean the app never uses the internet. New model downloads, purchases, purchase restoration, and the optional Apple enhancement download still need a connection. These are occasional setup tasks. The actual prompt and image generation can continue locally once the required files are already on the Mac.
Radiant Canvas