Frequently Asked Questions

Requirements & Compatibility

What devices are supported?

Clarissa requires iOS 26+ or macOS 26+ (Tahoe). For on-device AI features, you need an Apple Silicon device with Apple Intelligence enabled:

  • iPhone — iPhone 15 Pro or later (A17 Pro chip)
  • iPad — iPads with M1 chip or later
  • Mac — Any Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 or later)

Why does the app require iOS/macOS 26?

Clarissa uses Apple Foundation Models for on-device AI, which is only available in iOS 26 and macOS 26. The app also uses the new Liquid Glass design system introduced in these versions.

Can I use Clarissa without Apple Intelligence?

Yes! You can use OpenRouter for cloud-based AI. Add your OpenRouter API key in Settings to access 100+ models including Claude and GPT-4.

On-Device AI

Is my data private with on-device AI?

Yes. When using Apple Foundation Models, all processing happens entirely on your device. Your conversations never leave your device and are not sent to any server.

Why is the first response slow?

The AI model needs to warm up on first use. Clarissa automatically prewarms the model at launch to minimize this delay. Subsequent responses are much faster.

What's the tool limit for on-device AI?

Apple Foundation Models support a maximum of 3-5 tools per session for optimal performance. Clarissa automatically prioritizes the most useful tools. For workflows requiring more tools, use OpenRouter.

Cloud Providers

How do I get an OpenRouter API key?

  1. Visit openrouter.ai
  2. Create an account or sign in
  3. Go to API Keys
  4. Create a new key and copy it
  5. Paste it in Clarissa's Settings

Which cloud model should I use?

The default is anthropic/claude-sonnet-4, which offers an excellent balance of capability and speed. You can change this in Settings.

Is my API key stored securely?

Yes. API keys are stored in the iOS/macOS Keychain, Apple's secure credential storage system. They are never transmitted except to the API provider.

Voice & Siri

Why isn't voice input working?

Ensure you've granted microphone permission. Go to Settings → Clarissa → Microphone and enable access. If it's already enabled, try restarting the app.

Siri doesn't recognize my Clarissa commands

Siri Shortcuts need time to learn. Try these tips:

  • Use the exact phrases: "Ask Clarissa" or "Talk to Clarissa"
  • Open the Shortcuts app and run the intent manually first
  • Make sure Siri is enabled and listening

Troubleshooting

The app crashes on launch

Try these steps:

  1. Force quit and relaunch the app
  2. Restart your device
  3. Ensure you're on iOS/macOS 26 or later
  4. Reinstall from TestFlight

"Apple Intelligence not available"

Check these requirements:

  • Device has Apple Silicon (M1+ on Mac, A17 Pro+ on iPhone)
  • Apple Intelligence is enabled in System Settings
  • Device language and region support Apple Intelligence

Responses are getting cut off

Long conversations may hit token limits. The app automatically trims older messages to stay within limits. Start a new conversation for complex topics.

How do I report a bug?

You can report issues through:

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