# KernelAI - Offline AI Chat — Private Local AI Assistant

> Private, offline AI assistant running entirely on your device with no data collection. (iPhone/iPad app by Anes Khadiri.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kernelai-offline-ai-chat/id6757350731 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Anes Khadiri](https://appshunter.io/developer/1863184646)
- Category: Productivity, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 38 App Store ratings · 5 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 16.4 · 84 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-01-17
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kernelai-offline-ai-chat/id6757350731/reviews.md

## What is KernelAI?

ON-DEVICE AI

Downloaded compatible models run locally on your device. KernelAI checks model compatibility and memory needs before you download, so you can choose a model that fits your iPhone or iPad.

CHAT WITH DOCUMENTS

Ask questions about PDFs, DOCX, CSV, Markdown, and text files. Summarize, search, and find useful passages with on-device document chat.

UNDERSTAND IMAGES

Attach a photo, screenshot, chart, or diagram and ask what it shows with a compatible vision model. Image analysis runs on-device.

50+ MODEL OPTIONS

Choose from 50+ models, including Llama, Gemma, Qwen, DeepSeek, Mistral, Phi, and more. Import compatible GGUF models from Files, URLs, or your local network.

WRITE, LEARN, AND CODE

Use local models for writing, brainstorming, explanations, and code. Generate, explain, and review code with models selected for programming.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR AI

Set a system prompt and generation parameters for each model. See tokens-per-second, context usage, and generated thinking output from supported reasoning models.

VOICE, SIRI, AND SHORTCUTS

Dictate prompts with voice input. Ask KernelAI from Siri or build it into Shortcuts on supported iOS versions. On supported iOS 26 devices, Apple's built-in on-device model can answer in the background; downloaded models may open KernelAI while they run.

ORGANIZE YOUR WORK

Keep conversations in folders, search your history, branch a chat, edit or regenerate messages, and export your work. Use KernelAI on iPhone and iPad, including from the Share Sheet and Home Screen widget.

OPTIONAL WEB SEARCH

Turn on web search when you need current information. Add your own Tavily or Exa API key; web search is off by default. Provider fees may apply.

Everything currently available is free. There is no Pro tier or subscription.

Privacy Policy: https://kernelai.app/privacy
Terms & Conditions: https://kernelai.app/terms

## Key features

- Private, offline AI operation
- No internet required
- Zero data collection
- Access to 43+ free AI models
- Vision AI for image analysis
- File attachments for document understanding
- Ad-free experience

## Recent user reviews (5 of 5)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kernelai-offline-ai-chat/id6757350731/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Models always fail to download

*2026-07-26*

Can’t use it because models aways “fail to download” in a red screen of random letters

### 5/5 — Local on phone for safety

*2026-06-03*

On your phone for safety free to use multiple different kind of bots to do different kind of things you get more than one. I mean, you can’t ask for anything better now it’s gonna blow everything else out of the water and it’s free no more stopping in the middle of a project to get to pay extra money that’s worth it all when you’re right there. That way, nobody steal your project after you run out of money and then by the time you put more money I need to finish. The project is already made to buy with the people so I could be better at most. She’s got to read the word.

### 5/5 — As close to perfect as I've found!

*2026-02-10*

I'm thrilled! Running on an iPhone 14, it's smooth, fast, has multiple chats, multiple models, works offline... I'll be playing around with it to see what all I can do but as far as I see this does everything I want it to do and I am very happy! Found it recommended on reddit, and the developer stepping in to comment is what convinced me to try. Love it!
(Is there any way to regen a response?)

### 5/5 — Perfect!

*2026-01-31*

I'm thrilled! Running on an iPhone 14, it's smooth, fast, has multiple chats, multiple models, works offline... I'll be playing around with it to see what all I can do but as far as I see this does everything I want it to do and I am very happy! Found it recommended on reddit, and the developer stepping in to comment is what convinced me to try. Love it!

### 5/5 — Great app

*2026-01-18*

Cant lie a great ai it does everything i need to do

## Frequently asked questions about KernelAI

### Does KernelAI have ads?

No, KernelAI offers an ad-free experience, allowing for uninterrupted use of its AI capabilities.

### How does KernelAI ensure privacy?

KernelAI is designed for privacy, with all AI processing and data remaining on your device. There is zero data collection, no cloud sync, and all data is encrypted locally using AES-256.

### Can I use KernelAI without an internet connection?

Yes, KernelAI is fully offline. Once models are downloaded, the app works completely without a network connection, making it ideal for use on flights, underground, or in remote locations.

### What AI models are available on KernelAI?

KernelAI includes access to over 43 free AI models from developers like Meta, Google, Microsoft, including Llama, Gemma, Phi, and Mistral. New models are added regularly.

### What kind of tasks can KernelAI help with?

KernelAI supports a wide range of tasks including learning and explanations, creative writing, language translation, code assistance, document summarization, math problem solving, and research.

### What devices is KernelAI available on?

KernelAI is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod, supporting iOS devices.

### How often is KernelAI updated?

KernelAI was last updated on March 5, 2026, with version 1.2.9, indicating regular maintenance and feature additions.

### What is the age rating for KernelAI?

KernelAI has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a broad audience.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0.0 — 2026-08-19

KernelAI 2.0 is the biggest update we have ever shipped, and it did not come from a roadmap, it came from you. Every piece of feedback, every feature request, every "please just add this" got read, and this release is the answer.

We rebuilt the app to feel native from the ground up: a new navigation drawer, smoother streaming, cleaner chat, and dozens of fixes you will feel the moment you open it, even before you notice a single new feature.

What is actually new:
• Chat with PDFs, DOCX, CSVs, Markdown, and text files on-device
• Ask questions about photos, screenshots, charts, and diagrams with vision models
• Choose from 50+ device-matched models, including Qwen 3.5 and Gemma 4
• View generated thinking output from supported reasoning models
• Dictate prompts with voice input
• Organize work with folders, search, branching, custom prompts, and export
• Ask KernelAI from Siri and Shortcuts on supported iOS 26 devices
• Reliability, performance, and accessibility improvements throughout

Download a model once, then test local chat in Airplane Mode. No account or subscription required.

### 1.2.9 — 2026-03-05

- New: Qwen 3.5 models (4B, 2B, 0.8B) — the latest hybrid architecture with built-in reasoning and support for 201 languages                                                                                                  
- Upgraded inference engine for faster and broader model compatibility
- Fixed thinking mode display for cleaner AI responses

### 1.2.8 — 2026-02-08

Translate text in 50+ languages — entirely on your device.                                                                                                                                  
  
  • New translation mode powered by TranslateGemma
  • Native language picker with popular languages pinned for quick access
  • Swap languages instantly with one tap
  • Copy translations to your clipboard
  • Improved prompt suggestions
  • Bug fixes and performance improvements

### 1.2.6 — 2026-01-20

• Listen to AI responses - Tap the speaker icon to have messages read aloud                                                                                                            
• Smarter model recommendations - We now suggest models optimized for your device
• Better memory management - Models that require more RAM than your device has are now clearly marked

### 1.2.4 — 2026-01-19

- Improved stability - Fixed crashes that could occur when loading AI models on some devices
  - Better error messages - Clearer feedback when downloads fail, with helpful suggestions
  - Recovery options - If something goes wrong, you can now easily switch models or reset the app
  - Bug fixes - Various improvements for a smoother experience

## Related topics

[kernelai](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kernelai) · [open source ai](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/open-source-ai) · [aipix](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/aipix) · [noemaai](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/noemaai) · [kernel](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kernel)

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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 2026-08-27.*
