Desktop and Mobile Apps
Claude Cowork on Mobile and Desktop Apps
Download the Claude desktop app for macOS or Windows for full capabilities, or use the mobile app on iOS or Android to access Cowork from anywhere.
Which Claude Cowork access should you use?
Not sure if mobile/desktop apps are right for you? Check the intent that matches your workflow:
✓ Choose apps if:
- • You want the best native experience
- • You need local file access (desktop only)
- • You want oversight while traveling (mobile)
- • You like native notifications and integration
→ Consider instead if:
- • Web login: You want zero installation
- • Desktop download: You need download help
- • Web access: You want full comparison
Claude apps across all platforms
Use Claude Cowork on the platform that fits your work style. Web, desktop, and mobile apps share the same account and sessions, so you can switch between them freely. Start work on your desktop, continue on your phone, and review on a tablet—all from the same session.
Desktop apps (macOS & Windows)
Full-featured Cowork experience with local file access, computer control, and native performance.
macOS: Requires macOS 11 or later
Windows: Requires Windows 10 or later, 64-bit
Mobile apps (iOS & Android)
Start, review, and steer Cowork tasks from your phone or tablet—anywhere you go.
Desktop apps: full capabilities
The desktop app for macOS or Windows is where you get the complete Cowork experience. It's the best choice for work that needs local files, computer control, or advanced features.
What the desktop app can do
- ✓Local file access: Grant Cowork access to specific folders on your computer. Claude can read, organize, and modify files.
- ✓Computer control: Cowork can control your mouse, keyboard, open applications, and interact with desktop software.
- ✓Terminal access: Run command-line commands and scripts for advanced automation.
- ✓Web browsing: Cowork can visit websites, extract information, and gather data from the web.
- ✓Connectors: Use all available connectors (Gmail, Google Drive, GitHub, Slack, and more).
- ✓Remote sessions: Sessions run on Anthropic's servers and continue even when you close the app.
Mobile apps: Cowork on the go
The Claude mobile app for iOS and Android lets you access Cowork from anywhere. You can start tasks, monitor progress, steer ongoing work, and review results—all from your phone.
What you can do on mobile
- ✓ Start a new Cowork task
- ✓ Review and approve Claude's proposed actions
- ✓ Check progress of background work
- ✓ Use connectors (read from Gmail, Slack, etc.)
- ✓ Upload files from your phone
- ✓ View session history and past work
Desktop-only on mobile
- → Direct access to your phone's local files (limited)
- → Computer control from mobile (not available)
- → Terminal access (not available)
Pro tip: Use the mobile app to check on background work while you're away from your desk. A Cowork session running on a remote session in the background will continue making progress—just check in anytime to monitor, approve actions, or redirect if needed.
Using the same account everywhere
All your apps—web, desktop, and mobile—connect to the same Anthropic account. This means your sessions, files, and settings follow you everywhere.
Account synchronization
When you sign in with your Claude account on any device, you automatically have access to:
- All sessions you've started on any device
- Your session history and saved work
- Connected tools and connectors you've authorized
- Preferences and settings
Cross-device workflow example
Morning: Start a Cowork analysis on your desktop with local files, then ask Claude to continue working in the background. Later: Check progress on your mobile app while commuting. Evening: Review results on the web, download final output, and send to your team.
Choosing the right app for your workflow
Each platform has its strengths. Most people use a combination of all three.
Use desktop when:
- • You're working with local files
- • You need computer control
- • You're running command-line tasks
- • You're doing deep work for hours
Use mobile when:
- • You're on the go or traveling
- • You're monitoring background work
- • You need quick approval decisions
- • You're starting a task from your phone
Use web when:
- • You're on a shared or public computer
- • You don't want to install software
- • You want cross-browser flexibility
- • You need remote sessions only
Your first app Cowork task: realistic example
Here's what using Cowork across multiple devices looks like:
Example: "Start a task, finish it on mobile"
- Morning (desktop): Start Cowork: "Analyze my sales data and create a summary report." Claude shows you a plan. You approve.
- During work: The task runs in the background on Anthropic's servers. The desktop app closes.
- Afternoon (mobile): Check your iOS or Android app. Claude has already made progress—you see 60% complete. You approve the next step.
- Later (web): From any browser, review the final report, download it, share with your team.
- Result: One task, three devices, one account, one session. Perfect continuity.
Apps keep all sessions in sync. Start anywhere, continue anywhere.
App requirements and setup
Check that your devices are compatible and you have the basics:
Device requirements
- Desktop: macOS 11+ or Windows 10+ (≈150–180 MB)
- Mobile: iOS 15+ or Android 8+ (varies by app)
- ✓ One paid Claude account for all devices
- ✓ Stable internet connection
Troubleshooting app issues
- Apps out of sync? Sign out, restart the app, and sign back in.
- Download not found? Desktop at claude.com/download, mobile at App Store or Play Store.
- Can't sign in? Confirm your Claude email and password are correct.
What to do after installing: workflow examples
Once your apps are installed and synced, here are realistic first tasks for mobile and desktop coordination. Start with simple monitoring and approval workflows.
Monitoring tasks
Oversee background work from mobile while desktop runs the task.
Monitoring example →
GitHub connector
Review and approve GitHub tasks from anywhere.
Setup guide →
Mobile dispatch
Start and manage tasks from your phone.
Mobile workflow →
Common multi-device use cases
Approval and oversight
- • Review task proposals on mobile
- • Approve or redirect from anywhere
- • Monitor background work remotely
Remote task management
- • Start desktop tasks from your phone
- • Check progress and steer tasks
- • Resume sessions across devices
On-the-go access
- • Start research or analysis on mobile
- • Catch up on Slack and email summaries
- • Manage tasks while traveling
Scheduled workflows
- • Get daily briefings and summaries
- • Receive task completion notifications
- • Monitor repository and team activity
Frequently asked questions
What platforms support Claude Cowork apps?
Desktop apps are available for macOS and Windows. Mobile apps are available on iOS and Android. All apps use your same Claude account.
How do I get the Claude apps?
Desktop: Visit claude.com/download for macOS or Windows. Mobile: Search for 'Claude' in the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
What can the mobile app do?
The mobile app lets you start, review, and steer Cowork tasks. Some capabilities like local file access are limited to desktop, but you can manage sessions from anywhere.
Can I use the same session on multiple devices?
Yes. Sessions stored in your account are accessible from web, desktop, and mobile. Start work on one device and continue on another.
Do I need the desktop app if I have the mobile app?
No, they're not mutually exclusive. Use mobile for portability and oversight, desktop for full capabilities like local files and computer control.
Get started with app access
Download and install the apps for your devices, sign in with your Claude account, and you're ready for cross-device Cowork tasks.
Trust and safety
Last updated: August 20, 2026 · Official sources: claude.com/download, App Store, Google Play
Before you start: Install from official app stores only, subscribe to a paid Claude plan, start with read-only tasks, and review actions before approval.
All ways to access Claude Cowork
Desktop apps
Full features with local files and computer control.
Mobile apps
Access and oversight from iOS or Android.
Web at claude.ai
Browser access with remote sessions and connectors.
Chrome extension
Cowork in a browser side panel for inline web work.