Install ComfyUI On Mac

Step-by-step guide to install ComfyUI on macOS. Covers both Portable and Desktop versions, Homebrew setup, Python dependencies, and troubleshooting tips for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.

System Requirements for Mac

ComponentRequirement
SystemmacOS 13+ (Ventura)
ChipApple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) recommended; Intel Macs supported with limited performance
RAM8 GB minimum, 16 GB recommended
StorageSSD with at least 20 GB free space (bare minimum for ComfyUI itself — actual model downloads can reach 50–100GB+ quickly)
BrowserChrome 143+ recommended

If you are using a Mac, the best way to run ComfyUI depends on whether your Mac has an Apple Silicon chip or an Intel chip.

ℹ️ Note about updates: For the most up-to-date Desktop installation info, check the official docs.

Comfy Desktop is the official desktop application and the easiest way to run ComfyUI on macOS. It handles the installation, Python environment, and dependencies automatically with Metal Performance Shaders (MPS) for GPU acceleration on Apple Silicon.

Comfy Desktop Installation Guide

Comfy CLI

You can also use Comfy CLI to install ComfyUI on your Mac. It works on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs with Python 3.12 or 3.13.

Complete Comfy CLI Guide

Manual Installation

For advanced users who prefer full control, clone the repository from GitHub and set up the environment manually:

# 1. Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/comfyanonymous/ComfyUI.git
cd ComfyUI

# 2. Create a virtual environment
python3 -m venv .venv

# 3. Activate the environment
source .venv/bin/activate

# 4. Install PyTorch with Metal support (Apple Silicon)
pip install --pre torch torchvision torchaudio --extra-index-url https://download.pytorch.org/whl/nightly/cpu

# 5. Install ComfyUI dependencies
pip install -r requirements.txt

# 6. Start ComfyUI
python main.py

On Apple Silicon Macs, ComfyUI uses Metal Performance Shaders (MPS) for GPU acceleration, which provides good performance for most models.

Note: On Intel-based Macs without a discrete GPU, performance will be limited and CPU-only mode is typically used. An Apple Silicon Mac is strongly recommended for a smooth experience.