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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. Since version 1.1.0 the macOS build is signed with an Apple Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so it opens like any other app: no security prompt, no "Open Anyway", no Terminal command.

If macOS still shows a warning

You should only see "Apple could not verify Pluely is free of malware" or "from an unidentified developer" with a build older than 1.1.0, or with a copy that did not come from pluely.com. The fix is to download the current version from the downloads page and replace the app. If you need to open the older copy anyway:

  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 then launch normally on every future run.

Or clear the quarantine flag from Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal):

xattr -cr /Applications/Pluely.app

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 only clears the "downloaded from the internet" flag macOS adds to apps installed outside the App Store. Full details 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

Bought from inside Pluely? You are already done: the license activates on that computer by itself. Bought on the website, or got the license email first? Open the dashboard (the Home icon in the overlay's top-left, or the Dashboard chip), paste the key from that email into the License Key field on the Home page, and click Activate License. Bring-your-own-key setups can skip this and connect a local CLI such as Claude Code, Gemini CLI, OpenAI Codex, Qwen Code, or Ollama instead.

Troubleshooting

  • "Pluely can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer" — you have a build older than 1.1.0 or a copy that did not come from pluely.com; download the current version, or follow the steps above under "If macOS still shows a warning".
  • 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