On-device AI in iOS/macOS apps is becoming the default. Indie developers are shipping features that run entirely on-device or offline, delivering privacy-first experiences on Apple devices.
Mithril runs LLMs 100% on-device, supports GGUF models and ExecuTorch, and recently added the Apple Foundation Model to chat. It keeps embeddings on chats and file uploads for RAG, with a simple model picker and device-aware defaults. Privacy by default. [1]
UnfollowPeek – 100% On-Device Instagram Unfollow Tracker. The app emphasizes safety and affordability, avoiding cloud-slashed approaches and third-party access to accounts. [2]
Hummingbird Capture – uses on-device ML to auto-categorise entries (Todos/Ideas/Unsorted) and runs 100% offline with no account needed. It’s marketed to help ADHD/busy minds and supports voice input under iOS 18+. [3]
Vocabulary learning app – snaps pages, AI extracts words into a learning list, and you practice with a keyboard or Apple Pencil. Real-world use cases include school vocab, songs, and German practice, showing AI-enabled learning at home. [4]
friday – AI-powered daily reflection that calls you to talk about your day, now live on the App Store after reaching 1,000+ beta users. [5]
Together, these indie releases hint at a privacy-first, offline-capable AI wave taking hold on Apple devices.
References
Free App- Run LLMs 100% on device. like ChatGPT without internet needed!
On-device LLM app for iPhone; local models, iOS 26 support, feedback-driven fixes, bugs, and API feature talks and roadmap updates.
View sourceUnfollowPeek – 100% On-Device Instagram Unfollow Tracker
UnfollowPeek iOS unfollow tracker; positive user feedback; mentions $5/week alternative; on-device, TestFlight link.
View sourceHummingbird Capture - ADHD quick thought capture app [iPhone/iPad]
ADHD quick-capture app Hummingbird Capture seeks testers; on-device ML categorisation, focus queue, voice capture, offline, iPhone/iPad, TestFlight.
View sourceBuilt an app to help my daughter after she struggled on a vocab test - I think it's a great tool for kids and students to learn vocabulary faster and with less stress(uses AI for easy set creation and Apple Pencil for practicing)
Parent's iOS app Snap to Learn uses AI photo-to-word extraction and Pencil practice to build vocab sets; pricing includes subscriptions.
View sourceI always failed to keep journaling… so I built an AI that calls me to talk about my day (1000+ beta users, now live on app store!)
friday AI daily reflection app launches on iOS; beta feedback, pricing concerns, voice naturalness, journaling via calls, early access today.
View source