Set up ComfyUI on macOS: Desktop or manual

Decide which Mac route applies

The current official Desktop guide supports Apple silicon (M1 or later) on macOS 13 or later. Its .dmg is the easiest supported managed route for that combination. The manual installation guide covers macOS more broadly but requires you to maintain a separate Python environment and compatible PyTorch build yourself. Check the official pages for updated requirements.

Desktop route

Download from the official macOS Desktop guide, move the app into Applications, then create an instance. Record the installation and shared-model paths. A first-launch macOS warning has an official System Settings resolution.

Manual route

Follow the official manual guide: isolate Python, clone the official ComfyUI repository, install the PyTorch build appropriate to your device, then install ComfyUI requirements and launch from that environment. Use the guide's current commands, since Python and PyTorch compatibility changes.

Avoid platform mix-ups

CUDA-specific advice targets NVIDIA environments and is not a generic fix for a Mac. Identify the running interpreter, PyTorch build and device backend before replacing packages. Confirm a small workflow runs before troubleshooting larger models. This article is a source-based setup map, not a site-tested Mac run.