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Getting Started

Install Pluely v1 on macOS

Pluely v1 runs natively on macOS with the same features as the Windows and Linux builds. This guide walks through downloading Pluely, installing it, and getting past the first-launch security prompts so the overlay opens cleanly.

1. Download Pluely

Go to pluely.com/downloads and grab the macOS build. Your browser will save a disk image to your Downloads folder.

2. Open the download and install

  1. Open the downloaded file from Downloads.
  2. A window appears showing the Pluely icon and an Applications folder shortcut.
  3. Drag Pluely into your Applications folder to install it.
  4. Eject the mounted disk image once the copy finishes.

3. Launch Pluely for the first time

Open Applications and double-click Pluely. Because Pluely is downloaded from outside the Mac App Store, macOS Gatekeeper may block the first launch with a warning that the app is from an unidentified developer.

If that happens:

  1. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security.
  2. Scroll down to the security section, where you will see a message about Pluely being blocked.
  3. Choose "Open Anyway."
  4. Confirm in the dialog that appears. Pluely will now launch normally on every future run.

One-line Terminal fix

If you see "Apple could not verify Pluely is free of malware" (this is the most common first-launch message), the quickest fix — and the one Pluely users shared in the project's macOS issue — is to open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal) and run:

xattr -cr /Applications/Pluely.app

Then reopen Pluely and it launches normally. If Terminal replies "Operation not permitted," enable Terminal under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access, reopen Terminal, and run:

sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Pluely.app

This is safe: it only clears the "downloaded from the internet" quarantine flag macOS adds to apps installed outside the App Store. Full details and alternatives are in Fix: macOS cannot verify Pluely.

4. Grant permissions

On first launch, the overlay appears as a small always-on-top panel. To use Pluely fully, grant these permissions in System Settings > Privacy & Security:

  • Microphone — required for Listen mode and push-to-talk.
  • Screen Recording — required to capture system audio, meaning the other side of a call, and to take screenshots.
  • Accessibility — some shortcut and overlay behaviors may request this; grant it if prompted.

After granting Screen Recording or Accessibility, macOS typically asks you to quit and reopen Pluely for the permission to take effect.

5. Activate your license

Enter your license key inside Pluely to unlock Pluely's managed models and Pro features. Free and bring-your-own-key setups can skip this and connect a local CLI such as Claude Code, Gemini CLI, or Ollama instead.

Troubleshooting

  • "Pluely can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer" — follow the Gatekeeper steps above under System Settings > Privacy & Security, then relaunch.
  • Listen mode only hears my voice, not the other person — Screen Recording permission is missing or was granted before a required relaunch. Re-check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording, toggle Pluely off and on, then quit and reopen Pluely.
  • Overlay does not appear after launch — check that Pluely isn't already running in the background (look for it in the menu bar or Activity Monitor), then relaunch.
  • Keyboard shortcut does nothing — Accessibility permission may be required; grant it under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility and relaunch Pluely.

Last updated 2026-07-10 · pluely.com