How to install DeepSeek AI locally on Mac

How to Install DeepSeek AI Locally on Mac

If you’re looking for a free, offline AI model that runs smoothly on your Mac, DeepSeek is a great option. DeepSeek is an open-source large language model that works entirely on your local machine – no internet connection is required. In this guide, I will walk you through the installation process step by step, from setting up the Terminal version of DeepSeek to installing a user-friendly chat application.

Why Use DeepSeek?

Unlike cloud-based AI models such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek runs locally on your Mac, making it both cost-effective and private. Whether you are using it for research, coding, or general inquiries, it offers a convenient way to have an AI model at your fingertips without relying on an internet connection.

Step 1: Download and Install Ollama

To run DeepSeek, we first need to install Ollama: a framework that will allow us to manage and run large language models.

Go to the Ollama website.

Ollama - Get up and running with large language models.
Ollama – Get up and running with large language models.

Click the download button and select ‘Download for macOS’.

Download Ollama
Download Ollama

Once downloaded, go to Finder → Downloads and locate the .zip file.

Double-click the file to extract it, then drag and drop the Ollama application into your Applications folder.

Open the Applications folder, find Ollama, and double-click to launch it.

Install Olama on Mac
Install Olama on Mac

If prompted with a security message, click ‘Open’.

Follow the setup instructions and install the command-line version by pressing ‘Install’ and entering your Mac password when prompted.

After the installation has been completed we need to run our first model. Click the ‘Copy’ button to copy the command ‘ollama run llama3.2‘ into your clipboard. Then open the Terminal, paste the command and press ‘Return’.

Run model in Ollama
Run model in Ollama

Step 2: Install DeepSeek

Now that Ollama is installed, we can install DeepSeek.

Go back to the Ollama website and search for ‘DeepSeek’.

Ollama DeepSeek
Ollama DeepSeek

Select ‘DeepSeek R1’ as it’s the latest version and it’s optimised for Apple Macs and especially for Apple Silicon Macs.

Choose the model size based on your Mac’s capabilities

DeepSeek models
DeepSeek models

Bare in mind that the 8B, the basic version is less resource-intensive but if you go for the larger models they will be more accurate but will require significantly more RAM.

Once you select the model click the ‘Copy’ button to copy the installation command (ollama run deepseek-r1:8b) as shown in the picture below.

Ollama run DeepSick
Ollama run DeepSick

Open Terminal, paste the copied command (Command + V) and press ‘Return’.

Ollama install DeepSeek in Terminal
Ollama install DeepSeek in Terminal

The model (~4.9GB) will begin downloading and the installing DeepSeek on your computer. This may take a few minutes, depending on your internet speed.

DeepSeek successful installation
DeepSeek successful installation

Step 3: Run DeepSeek in Terminal

Once the installation is complete, you can start using DeepSeek immediately (image below):

  1. In Terminal, type a message like ‘Hi, how are you?’ and press ‘Return’.
  2. You can ask it questions such as ‘What happened in Tiananmen Square’. What do you think of the answer? Lol.  
  3. To exit, type /bye and press ‘Return’
  4. To restart DeepSeek later, run the command ‘ollama run deepseek-r1:8b’ in Terminal.
Running DeepSeek locally
Running DeepSeek locally

Step 4: Install a User-Friendly Chat Interface

For a more intuitive way to interact with DeepSeek, you can install the Chatbox AI app, a free chat application that provides a graphical user interface very similar to that of ChatGPT.

Go to the Chatbox AI website.

Download either the Apple Silicon version or the Intel-based Mac version.

Chatbox AI
Chatbox AI

Locate the downloaded file in Finder → Downloads.

Open the Chatbox ARM64 file, then drag and drop it into the Applications folder.

Chatbox AI installation
Chatbox AI installation

Find Chatbox in the Applications folder and double-click to open.

When prompted, click ‘Open’.

Step 5: Configure Chatbox AI

To connect Chatbox AI with DeepSeek:

Open Chatbox AI. You don’t need to pay for anything so just click on ‘Use My Own API key / Local model’.

Chatbox AI local model
Chatbox AI local model

Select the Ollama API under the Model Provider.

Configure Ollama in Chatbox
Configure Ollama in Chatbox

On the next screen choose ‘deepseek-r1:8b’ as the model.

Configure DeepSeek in Chatbox
Configure DeepSeek in Chatbox

Click ‘Save’ (bottom right) and you are done.

Start chatting! You can now type questions like ‘What model are you?’ and interact with DeepSeek using a ChatGPT-style interface.

Running DeepSeek Locally
Running DeepSeek Locally

Final Thoughts

By following these steps, you now have DeepSeek installed and running on your Mac, both through the Terminal and a user-friendly chat interface. Whether you’re looking for an alternative to online AI models or just want a local AI assistant, DeepSeek provides a powerful, private, and free solution.

Now, go ahead and explore what DeepSeek can do!

FAQ

Is DeepSeek free to use?

Yes! DeepSeek is completely free and open-source. You can install and run it on your Mac without any subscription or hidden costs.

Can I use DeepSeek without an internet connection?

Yes! DeepSeek runs entirely on your local Mac, meaning no internet connection is required once it is installed. This makes it a private and cost-effective alternative to cloud-based AI models.

What are the system requirements for running DeepSeek?

DeepSeek requires a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, or M3) or an Intel-based Mac with sufficient RAM. The 8B model is less resource-intensive, while larger models require more RAM and processing power.

How do I restart DeepSeek after installation?

To restart DeepSeek in Terminal, simply run the command:
ollama run deepseek-r1:8b
If you’re using the Chatbox AI interface, open the app and select DeepSeek as your model.

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