# Ari Helper — Private & Offline AI Assistant

> Offline AI assistant with Siri integration, privacy-focused, and model customization. (iPhone/iPad app by Blaine Miller.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ari-helper/id6480045555 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Blaine Miller](https://appshunter.io/developer/1348196068)
- Category: Productivity, Developer Tools
- Price: $14.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 5 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 26.0 · 75 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified, China), European Spanish
- Released: 2024-03-26
- Data updated: 2026-08-28
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ari-helper/id6480045555/reviews.md

## What is Ari Helper?

Introducing Ari - Your Easy-to-Use AI Assistant!

Meet Ari, your personal AI assistant, right on your device! Similar to ChatGPT-5 and other popular AI assistants, Ari operates entirely offline, meaning no need for an internet connection.

Your privacy is our priority – Ari doesn't collect any of your personal data.

Start Ari anywhere with Siri and App Intents — just say "Ask Ari," speak your question, and hear the answer back.

Power users get a full Shortcuts catalog: Ask Ari with any model (Apple Intelligence, local, or cloud), start chats, generate and edit images, analyze PDFs, speak replies, change settings, queue Code Session tasks on Mac, and dispatch prompts to other devices — all chainable in Shortcuts.

Ari is on your wrist too: the Apple Watch app remote-controls Ari on iPhone. Dictate from the "Ask Ari" complication or Smart Stack, watch answers stream in, hear them spoken, and hand long replies to iPhone. Questions queue when the phone is away; private chats stay off the watch.

Conversations show up in Spotlight — including by what's in their images. Ari reads text and objects in chat pictures on-device so you can search for "that screenshot with the receipt". Private media is never indexed. With Sensitive Content Warning on, flagged images blur behind "Show Anyway" (verified adults can opt out).

More to love: Text-to-Speech (device voice or Ava); long-press to copy or retry across models; syntax highlighting with one-tap code copy; Previous Chats synced via iCloud.

On Apple Intelligence (iOS 26 / macOS 26), Ari uses the on-device foundation model by default — private, no API key, no network. Attach images: the model can't see pixels directly, so Ari describes them on-device with the Vision framework (text, tables, barcodes, subjects). Prefer full vision models? Pick one from the menu.

Download on-device models with a tap. First launch can install Google's Gemma 4 vision model sized to your device. Or paste a model URL. Self-host with Ollama or any OpenAI-compatible server — LM Studio, vLLM, llama.cpp, LiteLLM — by entering its address, or generate images with DrawThings over gRPC.

Cloud providers with your own keys: OpenAI (GPT-5 family and GPT Image), xAI Grok (4.5 plus Grok Imagine), Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini (plus Imagen and Veo), and AWS Bedrock. Image-capable models accept photos; import text and source files. Cloud use reminds you each provider's privacy policy applies.

On Mac, open a Code Session on a project folder with Grok for agentic tools — read, edit, search, git, shell, browser, web, and MCP — so Ari's GUI agent matches a terminal coding agent.

Note: For strongest privacy with iCloud sync, enable Advanced Data Protection. Without it, conversations stay limited to your iCloud account but are not fully end-to-end encrypted.

Optionally powered by Gemma 4 (HuggingFace) for offline chat and image understanding.

Download Ari and keep your AI assistant at your fingertips!

## Key features

- Offline AI operation
- Siri and App Intents integration
- Privacy-focused, no data collection
- Text-to-Speech with voice options
- Conversation history sync via iCloud
- Downloadable custom AI models
- Code syntax highlighting

## Recent user reviews (5 of 5)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ari-helper/id6480045555/reviews.md

### 5/5 — AI Access on a Budget!

*2026-02-14*

I know not everyone will opt to setting up an API account to access cloud models to save money but for my use case it gives me the best of both worlds. I can pay per token fractions of pennies and the developer has kept up with the latest and greatest cloud models as they are available. The recent addition to Gemini models to the roster is a nice benefit! I like that it keeps all of my conversations synced across my apple devices using iCloud Drive. The ability to generate videos and images is a lot of fun too. The media gallery makes it fun to look through your AI Art creations. Also the ability to get quick answers to code questions even offline and locally is a nice plus. The in app Gemma 3 model having vision support is super nice too! Overall it is a great all in one AI app that earned its spot on my Dock.

### 5/5 — Ari Helper: The Ultimate Private AI Powerhouse!

*2026-01-13*

I've been using Ari Helper for weeks now, and it's hands down the best AI app out there for iOS and macOS. What I love most is how it fully supports local on-device models for completely private conversations, no data leaving your device, and even the on-device vision models get seamless updates. Privacy done right!

The ability to run multiple parallel conversations is a game-changer for juggling work, ideas, and chats without missing a beat. Plus, integrating cloud models with my own API keys was a breeze, super easy to set up and get going.

Image generation has been endlessly fun, and the new video generation support takes it to another level. The media gallery is a fantastic addition too, making it so simple to browse and reuse everything.

Ari Helper truly is the all-in-one AI app everyone needs, private, versatile, and packed with features! 5 stars all the way.

### 5/5 — Fits my needs

*2025-10-02*

I bought this app when it just supported the included local model. The latest update added support for all sorts of new features. I can now use any local model I could want thanks to the built in Model Manager. It lets you download models from any url and use them inside the app locally on device. I also like to use ollama on my Mac so being able to connect to that via tail scale is awesome so I can run even more powerful models. The conversation being synced across my apple devices using iCloud and E2E support is nice too. And now the developer added support for cloud models from OpenAI, X.AI and even Anthropic. The support to generate images and have the cloud models read from images using vision is super sweet too. The quick integration of Liquid Glass looks clean as well. Overall a well built client for all the various ways one might want to interact with AI. The developer also seems quick to update it so I think this will be a great app for quite a while. The conversation mode is a nice touch too and I like that is runs that completely on device.

### 5/5 — Ari is simply magical

*2025-01-28*

Ari is really fast and produces decently useful information. For quick questions that you’d probably google search for you can get answers directly on your device without the need for an internet connection. The fact it runs on device is a nice privacy first touch. The macOS version works just as well as it does on my iPhone 15 pro max. It’s one of those apps you download just to be sure if your ever in a jam and don’t have good reception and need to find out how to do something like build a splint for an injured limb on a hiking trail. Ari is just under 2gigs and it’s worth the space for being to ask it anything literally anywhere.

### 5/5 — Ari is simply magical

*2024-03-31*

Ari is really fast and produces decently useful information. For quick questions that you’d probably google search for you can get answers directly on your device without the need for an internet connection. The fact it runs on device is a nice privacy first touch. The macOS version works just as well as it does on my iPhone 15 pro max. It’s one of those apps you download just to be sure if your ever in a jam and don’t have good reception and need to find out how to do something like build a splint for an injured limb on a hiking trail. Ari is just under 2gigs and it’s worth the space for being to ask it anything literally anywhere.

## Frequently asked questions about Ari Helper

### Does Ari have ads?

No, Ari does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application, offering an ad-free experience for its users.

### What is the price of Ari?

Ari is available for a one-time purchase of $14.99. This grants you access to all its features without recurring subscription fees.

### What devices support Ari?

Ari is compatible with Mac, iPhone, and iPad devices, allowing you to use its AI capabilities across your Apple ecosystem.

### How does Ari ensure user privacy?

Ari operates entirely offline and does not collect any personal data. For enhanced privacy, it's recommended to enable Advanced Data Protection in your device's iCloud settings.

### Can Ari be activated without opening the app?

Yes, Ari can be initiated anywhere using Siri by saying "Ask Ari." Siri will then relay your question to Ari and present its answer.

### How often is Ari updated?

The latest version of Ari is 4.0.2, last updated on March 16, 2026. While this indicates a recent update, specific update frequency is not detailed.

### What are the age restrictions for Ari?

Ari has an age rating of 17+, suggesting it may contain content or features suitable for mature audiences.

### Can Ari interact with custom AI models?

Yes, Ari allows you to download and run additional .gguf models. You can use tested models with download buttons or paste a URL to a specific model.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.12.0 — 2026-08-25

Bring your own server — and remote dispatch that works.

Ari now talks to any local or self-hosted server that speaks the OpenAI API — LM Studio, vLLM, llama.cpp, LiteLLM, LocalAI, Jan, or your own gateway. Add as many as you like; each gets its own group in the model picker.

- Add the address, tap Validate Connection, and the models your server is serving fill the picker. An API key is optional and stays in the Keychain.
- Paste it however your server prints it. A LAN address, a bare hostname, a Bonjour ".local" name, a ".lan" or ".home.arpa" name from your router, or Tailscale all work over plain HTTP; anything off your own network needs HTTPS.
- Fortress Mode judges each endpoint by where you pointed it, so a server on your own network stays available while a public one beside it stays blocked.
- It shows up everywhere the other providers do — Shortcuts, Siri, the Apple Watch model list, and device-to-device dispatch.

Remote dispatch is fixed. It had stopped working entirely, and the cause left no error behind: each device was silently reading an empty queue. Along with it:

- Several dispatch queues aimed at the same image server now share one line, a prompt at a time, in the order the work arrived, instead of one conversation running several before another gets a turn.
- Stop actually stops, and cancelled work no longer reappears moments later.
- A prompt that fails now tells the device that sent it why, instead of going quiet.

Private conversations sync across your devices again. The encryption passphrase was being kept on each device rather than in your iCloud Keychain, so every device held a different key. Nothing already encrypted is lost — each device's key is merged in.

Also fixed: a crash, a new private conversation opening as a plain one, a private conversation that could not be deleted, duplicated replies, and a media gallery that reloaded and lost its zoom mid-reply.

### 5.11.0 — 2026-08-09

Fixed: a crash on opening.

Some installs quit the moment you tapped the icon — an iCloud check ran before the app had drawn anything, and when iCloud wasn't available on that device it took the whole app down. That check now happens after the app is on screen, and it fails quietly instead of fatally. If Ari wouldn't open for you, it will now.

Feedback & Support, where you can find it:
- "Support & Feedback" is now its own item in the main menu. Report an issue, suggest a feature, ask a question, rate Ari, or browse my other apps — one tap from the chat screen instead of buried at the bottom of API Settings.
- On Mac, the same buttons are in Settings, which previously had none of them at all.

Also fixed:
- The Previous Chats drawer no longer looks washed out, and the delete button is red again rather than pale pink.

### 5.10.0 — 2026-08-08

Now fully localized in 8 languages: Simplified Chinese, Japanese, German, French, Spanish, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, and Italian. The entire app, from settings to system prompts, now reads naturally in your language.

New Feedback & Support:
- Contact the developer directly from the app to ask a question or report an issue.
- Spotted an awkward translation? Send translation feedback in one tap and help make Ari better in your language.

Rating improvements:
- The rate-Ari prompt now appears at a sensible moment and no longer disables itself forever after one dismissal.

Chat on your Claude subscription (Mac):
- The new Claude Agent provider sends messages through Claude Code, so an existing Claude subscription pays for replies instead of a metered API key. Ari never sees your Claude credentials, and the provider stays hidden until you set it up yourself.

Remote dispatch, live:
- Dispatch a prompt to another device and watch the answer arrive as it is written, end-to-end encrypted. A locked device simply waits rather than showing a fragment.

Local models, shared fairly:
- Run several conversations against the same local model at once. Ollama, Draw Things, and on-device models take turns fairly, and the queue shows your place in line.

Draw Things, upgraded:
- Live previews and per-step progress, image-to-image and inpainting from an attached photo, video generation, LoRA and ControlNet support, and cancellation.

Apple Intelligence:
- Keeps its tools across conversation turns, and can use Ari's own tools: reading and writing files, searching, running commands, and inspecting git, on device or through Private Cloud Compute.

Also fixed:
- Text-to-speech no longer repeats itself, and the audio meter no longer competes with speech recognition.
- Tailscale connections are supported, and long runs can be cancelled cleanly.
- iCloud and XPC work moved off the main thread, so the app stays responsive during heavy syncs.

### 5.8.2 — 2026-07-22

SuperGrok sign-in for Grok models — use your SuperGrok / X Premium+ subscription instead of (or alongside) a console API key. Prefer SuperGrok-only billing when you want, with automatic session refresh via iCloud Keychain.

Code Session tooling is much more reliable: Grok tool calls are parsed and forced when needed, shell commands work better under App Sandbox (Shell Helper setup), and the Mac sidebar now tabs Browser, Terminal, and Activity so they don’t all fight for space. Open multiple browser tabs and terminal sessions side by side. Session diffs, expandable activity rows, and multi-agent task settings round out the agent workflow.

Also in this release: image attachments with Apple Intelligence via on-device Vision; Grok 4.5 agentic coding; Local Inference API; OpenAI GPT-5.6; and animated-image fixes.

### 5.8.1 — 2026-07-11

OpenAI's new GPT-5.6 models are here. Pick GPT-5.6 Sol (flagship), Terra (balanced), or Luna (fast and cost-efficient) in the model picker and in Shortcuts — and when Ari auto-selects a model for you, complex reasoning, coding, and research now go to Sol while everyday chat uses Terra.

Fixed: animated images (GIF, APNG, WebP) streamed from a personal media server with a self-signed certificate no longer show a black screen in the full-screen viewer.

## More apps by Blaine Miller

- [Wise Flyer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wise-flyer/id853900499)
- [Tri-Add](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tri-add/id860253889)
- [Cache ™ - Leave Your Mark](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cache-leave-your-mark/id1104642378)
- [Node Community](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/node-community/id1553326359)
- [Pano Owl](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pano-owl/id1560273409)
- [Lamdi](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lamdi/id6446975599)

All apps by Blaine Miller: https://appshunter.io/developer/1348196068

---

*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 2026-08-28.*