If you're a Mac user, you must feel a little envious of the Microsoft Copilot integration in Windows 11 that makes it extremely easy for Windows users to access AI. Now, while you can't have the same level of system-wide AI integration, you can use Microsoft Copilot on your Mac.

Microsoft Copilot is available to use in browsers like Edge, Chrome, Safari, etc. by going to copilot.microsoft.com. You can also go to Bing and use Bing Chat (renamed as Copilot) from there. Also, using it on Edge gives access to greater features, like Chat History and Plugins, than using it on other browsers.

Now, you might already know all this, and undoubtedly it's a great way to use Copilot on your Mac, especially when you're working within a browser. But did you know that you can also use Microsoft Copilot as an app on your Mac, essentially giving you faster access to AI from anywhere? Here's how.

Get Microsoft Copilot on Mac

Microsoft just released a standalone app for Copilot for iPhone and iPad. While the app is not verified for macOS, you can install it on your Mac and use Copilot with ease.

  1. Open the App Store on your Mac.
  2. Search for Microsoft Copilot using the search bar.
  3. Then, shift to the 'iPhone and iPad apps' tab and install the first app in the list.
  1. Open the app after it is installed and click on 'Continue'.
  1. Now, you can start using Copilot right away from the app without signing in. However, signing in will get you access to longer chats; without signing in, the limit is 5 responses per chat. Another benefit of signing in to your Microsoft account is that you get access to 'Chat History', which saves and shows chats from all your devices.
  2. Click on 'Sign in' in the top-left corner of the screen.
  1. Then, click on 'Sign in' again and enter the information about your Microsoft account.

Use Microsoft Copilot on Mac

Now, you can use Microsoft Copilot on Mac. By default, Copilot is set to answer with the GPT-3.5 model in a 'More Balanced' tone.

  1. To chat with Bing Chat, simply type your query and send it.
  1. Copilot will search for your query and give you a response. It will also list the sources it used for answering at the bottom; you can click on any source to visit the website.
  1. You can continue chatting with Copilot for 30 more responses before you have to reset the chat.
  1. Copilot will name the chat automatically, depending on the context. But you can rename it by clicking the 'three-dot menu' icon in the top-right corner of the screen and selecting 'Rename' from the menu.
  1. You can also click on 'Delete' to delete a chat from history. It doesn't ask for a confirmation and deletes the chat right away.
  1. To access your previous chats, select 'Chat History' from the three-dot menu.
  1. You can also use voice typing instead of typing your queries by clicking on the 'Microphone' icon. You'll need to give the app permission to use your Mac's microphone.
  1. You'll need to switch to typing by clicking the 'Keyboard' icon.
  1. You can also upload images to Bing Chat and ask questions about them. Click on the 'Camera' icon. Again, you'll need to give Copilot access to your camera to be able to use this feature.
  1. Then, you can either take a photo using your camera or upload it from your gallery.
  1. Once the image is uploaded, type/ speak your query along with it and send it to Bing Chat.

Switching the Model/ Tone

You can also switch the model/ tone of Copilot. With Copilot, you get access to GPT-4 for free. But you can only switch the model/ tone at the start of a new chat.

  1. If you're already chatting with Copilot, click the 'New Topic' button in the bottom left corner of the screen to start a new chat.
  1. Then, to switch to the GPT-4 model, turn on the toggle for 'Use GPT-4'. Copilot is configured to use a more creative tone by default in the GPT-4 model. Responses might also be slower than GPT-3.5.
  1. After switching to the GPT-4 model, you can talk to it just like the GPT-3.5 model. The chat has a 30-response limit, after which you'll need to start a new chat.
  1. To change Copilot's tone, again start with a new chat. Then, click the 'three-dot menu' icon in the top-right corner of the screen. Select 'Show All Tones' from the menu.
  1. Then, you can switch between 'More creative', 'More balanced', and 'More precise' tone options.

While Microsoft Copilot does not have a native Mac app, you can easily use it through either a web browser or, even better, by installing the standalone iPad app that works perfectly on the Mac. With Copilot at your tips, you can get assistance with tasks like writing, research, and more.