M1 or newer. Intel Macs are not supported.
VxNewton support
Get set up. Start asking.
Move VxNewton to Applications, open it, and follow the guided one-time setup. VxNewton handles the checks, download, verification, and first launch of chat.
Before you begin
Make sure your Mac is ready
VxNewton checks these requirements before it downloads the local assistant files.
Update macOS before installing if needed.
The current version will not set up on a Mac with less than 16 GB of RAM.
Free space on your Mac's storage drive, not memory (RAM). Needed temporarily during setup.
First-time setup
From download to your first message
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Download and open VxNewton
Get the latest version from the VxNewton download page, then open the downloaded disk image.
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Move it to Applications
Drag VxNewton onto the Applications folder, then open VxNewton from Applications. Setup will not run from the disk image, the Downloads folder, or a temporary macOS security location.
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Choose Continue
Open VxNewton from Applications and choose Open if macOS asks for confirmation. The Set Up VxNewton screen explains the one-time download and space requirement. Choose Continue when you are ready.
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Let VxNewton finish preparing
VxNewton checks your Mac, downloads about 5.44 GB, verifies every download, and prepares the local assistant. Chat opens automatically when setup is complete. If you choose Cancel, VxNewton safely returns to the setup screen so you can choose Continue when you are ready.
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Ask your first question
Type a message and send it. The first answer after opening the app can take a little longer while the assistant loads into memory.
Check this Mac
Download
Verify
Finish setup
Open chat
If setup is interrupted: open VxNewton from Applications and choose Continue again. VxNewton keeps the saved part of the download and continues from it when possible.
Setup help
If something gets in the way
VxNewton says “Move VxNewton to Applications”
Use the button shown by VxNewton to return to Finder or open the Applications folder, then drag VxNewton into Applications if needed. Open the Applications copy. VxNewton does not set itself up while running from the disk image, Downloads, or a temporary macOS security location.
The download stopped or my connection dropped
If the error screen is still open, check your internet connection and choose Retry. If you closed VxNewton, open it from Applications and choose Continue. Setup keeps the saved portion of the download and resumes from it when possible.
Why does setup need more space than VxNewton uses afterward?
VxNewton needs temporary room to download, inspect, and safely prepare the local assistant. Those temporary setup files are removed after everything is verified, leaving about 5.5 GB in use.
VxNewton could not verify the downloaded files
Choose Retry. VxNewton does not install files that fail its checks, and it will download a clean copy of anything that needs replacing.
VxNewton says this Mac does not have enough memory or space
The current version requires a Mac with at least 16 GB of memory. For a storage warning, free enough space to leave roughly 13 GB available during setup, then choose Retry.
VxNewton says setup is already running
Use one VxNewton window and one Applications copy at a time. Quit any other open copies, then choose Retry or reopen VxNewton from Applications.
Everyday use
Questions after setup
Does VxNewton need an internet connection every time?
No. After the one-time setup, ordinary chat works without an internet connection. Web search and update checks need a connection, so live information will not be available while your Mac is offline.
How do I use web search for current information?
Ask your question normally. When current information is needed, VxNewton can search the web and show the sources it used with the answer. Web search requires an internet connection.
Why can the first answer after opening take longer?
The assistant loads into your Mac's memory when it is first needed. Later messages in the same session usually begin sooner. Speed also varies by Apple Silicon chip and by what else the Mac is doing.
Where are my conversations?
Saved conversations stay on your Mac and appear in the VxNewton sidebar. Use the trash button beside a conversation whenever you want to delete it.
How do I update VxNewton?
VxNewton checks for app updates periodically. You can also choose VxNewton > Check for Updates... from the menu bar. App-only updates reuse your existing local assistant setup and saved conversations. If a future update needs new assistant files, VxNewton will guide you through that setup.