# AI Desktop 98 — Private AI, Retro Desktop

> Retro desktop interface for interacting with multiple AI models locally or via cloud. (iPhone/iPad app by Pritesh Desai.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ai-desktop-98/id6761027867 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Pritesh Desai](https://appshunter.io/developer/1850459333)
- Category: Entertainment, Productivity
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.20/5 from 20 App Store ratings · 13 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 26.0 · 1.7 GB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-03-25
- Data updated: 2026-08-31
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ai-desktop-98/id6761027867/reviews.md

## What is AI Desktop 98?

AI Desktop 98 wraps powerful AI assistants inside a fully interactive retro desktop, complete with a BIOS boot sequence, Start menu, taskbar, draggable windows, and authentic sound effects.

Choose your AI: run Apple Intelligence on-device, load local MLX models, or connect to cloud providers like OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini, Groq, and more — all from the Control Panel.

  FEATURES
  - Full retro desktop — boot sequence, Start menu, taskbar, and windowed apps
  - Multiple AI backends: Apple Intelligence, local MLX models, or cloud APIs
  - 11 cloud providers supported, including OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, Ollama, and LM Studio
  - Save, rename, search, and organize conversations in My Documents
  - Recycle Bin with restore for deleted chats
  - Built-in retro web browser
  - Customizable chat fonts and text sizes
  - Export and share conversations as plain text or Markdown
  - Find dialog to search across all saved chats
  - Keyboard shortcuts for power users
  - CRT monitor overlay for maximum nostalgia
  - Authentic retro sound effects
  - Minesweeper

  PRIVACY
  On-device models run 100% locally — no internet required, no data collected, no accounts.
  Cloud API mode connects directly to your chosen provider using your own API key; nothing passes through our servers.

## Key features

- Interactive retro desktop interface
- Multiple AI backend options
- On-device and cloud AI support
- Conversation management and organization
- Retro web browser
- Customizable chat appearance
- Nostalgic sound effects and CRT overlay

## Recent user reviews (10 of 13)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ai-desktop-98/id6761027867/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Comes out in Asian language

*2026-08-27*

I was so excited to try this app. Once downloaded, went to use “the internet” (AI chatbot) and the replies come out in Japanese language. I tried updating but still the same as of this morning 8/27/26. I went ahead and deleted the app.

### 5/5 — Delightfully refreshing!

*2026-07-30*

So depending on your iPhone model, this will run different for different people, but I absolutely love this app!!!!

### 5/5 — Fun and interesting

*2026-07-30*

Really unique way to interact with local AI models. Creative and artistic app with pragmatic applications

### 3/5 — Cool idea but execution is lacking

*2026-07-29*

The browser doesn’t open.

I’m also not able to select which model I want to use from the api provider. 

I added the Kimi api which shows 4 models, but I can’t select which one I want to use. It defaults to K2.6

I like the idea but hope these issues are fixed

### 1/5 — Fine but

*2026-07-27*

Keyboard clips — windows don't move and keyboard clips the enter button. 5 minute fix. Once complete I will delete my review.

**Developer response:** You can keep your 1 star review but delete my app. 
My apps aren’t meant for people like you.

### 5/5 — Like a kid again

*2026-07-26*

I literally squealed with joy on opening this app and clicking around, hearing the sounds. I’ve done a lot of windows 98 themed graphic work but this takes the cake. Only problem for me so far (on iPhone) is that when you tap in the web browser window, the app crashes. You can click in the address bar and type, but just not the actual window. At least, for me anyway¯\_(ツ)_/¯ keep it up!

**Developer response:** You’re welcome. I’m glad you liked my app. 
I was able to reproduce the browser bug. I’ll get it fixed in the next version.

### 5/5 — Fun little app

*2026-06-16*

I really like being able to use my local endpoints! Unfortunately it doesn’t work well with the endpoint my Hermes-agent exposes, but it works using raw LLM endpoints.

**Developer response:** I haven’t used Hermes yet. I’ll see if I can get it to work.

### 4/5 — Fun with bugs

*2026-05-14*

Fun for nostalgia but if you enable a glitchy model you’ll have to uninstall and restart due to a start loop. The built in Smol works great so keep with that. I tried Nemotron that gave me a desktop error due to MoE support, Mistral, which causes full unrecoverable app crash, and a Qwen 3 variant. Same crash unfortunately.

**Developer response:** Hey de Light, do you remember which local model caused the crash?

### 5/5 — My favorite AI app

*2026-04-07*

This has become my go-to AI app with Groq api

### 5/5 — 5 Stars But with it was available for older devices

*2026-04-06*

Make available for older devices 🙏🏼

## Frequently asked questions about AI Desktop 98

### Does AI Desktop 98 have ads?

AI Desktop 98 is free and does not contain advertisements. It focuses on providing a clean, uninterrupted user experience.

### What AI models can I use with AI Desktop 98?

AI Desktop 98 supports Apple Intelligence on-device, local MLX models, and cloud providers like OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini, and more. It connects to 11 cloud providers in total.

### How does AI Desktop 98 handle privacy?

On-device models run 100% locally with no internet required, data collection, or accounts. Cloud API mode uses your own API key, with no data passing through their servers.

### Can I save and organize my AI conversations in AI Desktop 98?

Yes, you can save, rename, search, and organize conversations within the 'My Documents' feature. Deleted chats can also be restored from the Recycle Bin.

### What devices is AI Desktop 98 available on?

AI Desktop 98 is available on iPhone and iPad devices.

### Is AI Desktop 98 suitable for younger users?

AI Desktop 98 has an age rating of 17+, indicating it is intended for mature audiences.

### How often is AI Desktop 98 updated?

The latest version, 2.4, was released on May 6, 2026, indicating recent development activity. The app was initially released on March 25, 2026.

### Does AI Desktop 98 offer offline functionality?

Yes, on-device models run 100% locally, meaning you can use them without an internet connection.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3 — 2026-08-29

Initializing Update Wizard...
Installing Microsoft Clippy Component (v1.0)...
Updating Default Internet Explorer Runtime...
Applying Virtual RAM Extension (32MB Cache)...
System update completed successfully. Please restart your computer.

### 2.5 — 2026-06-12

App now supports local AI like LM Studio and Ollama.

### 2.4 — 2026-05-06

BIOS update

### 2.3 — 2026-05-05

BIOS update.

### 2.2 — 2026-04-12

BIOS update.

## More apps by Pritesh Desai

- [Turing Patterns](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/turing-patterns/id6754844448)
- [Not Hotdog!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/not-hotdog/id6758764653)
- [AI Desktop XP](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ai-desktop-xp/id6762678997)
- [Pocket Tone: 432 Hz](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-tone-432-hz/id6769047273)
- [de Broglie](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/de-broglie/id6781243427)

All apps by Pritesh Desai: https://appshunter.io/developer/1850459333

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-31.*