You download the Copilot app from the Microsoft Store on Windows, from Microsoft's own download page on a Mac, from the Apple App Store on iPhone and iPad, and from the Google Play Store on Android. On a new Windows 11 PC you may not need to download anything, because Microsoft says the app should already be installed and pinned to the taskbar or Start menu.
Below is the checklist for each device, with the version Microsoft says each one needs as of October 2026, plus the no-install route for anyone who'd rather just use a browser.
Every device at a glance
| Device | Where to get it | What Microsoft says it needs |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PC | Already installed on new Windows 11 PCs. Otherwise, the Microsoft Store | The Windows app requires a Microsoft account to sign in |
| Mac | Microsoft's download page, not the App Store | MacOS Sonoma 14 or later |
| iPhone and iPad | The Apple App Store | iOS 16.0 or later |
| Android | The Google Play Store | Mobile app availability varies by country or region |
| Any browser | www.copilot.com or copilot.cloud.microsoft | Nothing to install |
One sign-in difference to know before you start: on the web, mobile and macOS you can use a Microsoft account, an Apple ID or a Google Account. The Windows app only takes a Microsoft account.
Windows: check before you download
Plenty of people download Copilot on Windows when it's sitting in their taskbar already. Here's the order I'd go in:
- Look along the taskbar and in the Start menu for the Copilot icon. On new Windows 11 PCs, Microsoft says it should already be installed and pinned to one of them.
- If it isn't there, open the Microsoft Store app and search for Microsoft Copilot.
- Install it, open it and sign in with your Microsoft account, or your work or school account.
- Try the shortcut. Windows key + C opens Copilot from anywhere, and Microsoft says it can open the full app or a smaller quick view, which you set in the app under Account, then Settings, then Copilot Keyboard Shortcuts.
On a work laptop, check with IT before installing anything. Microsoft's Learn page for admins says the consumer Copilot app doesn't support work (Microsoft Entra) sign-in and sends work accounts to the browser instead, and that on new PCs signed in with a work account the work Copilot app is pinned to the taskbar. If you're shopping for a new laptop anyway, it's worth knowing what a Copilot+ PC adds before you buy.
Mac: straight from Microsoft
This is the one people get stuck on. Microsoft's support article says to go to the download page to download the Mac desktop app, rather than pointing you to the Mac App Store. Microsoft's download page carries two buttons, one for Windows and one for Mac, and the Mac version says it requires MacOS Sonoma 14 or later.
So check your macOS version before you start. If your Mac is older than Sonoma, the browser route further down this page is your answer. Once it's installed, you can sign in with a Microsoft account, an Apple ID or a Google Account.
iPhone, iPad and Android
- Open the Apple App Store on an iPhone or iPad, or the Google Play Store on Android.
- Search for Microsoft Copilot. The mobile support article says to find it in your app store, available for both iOS and Android.
- On an iPhone or iPad, check you're on iOS 16.0 or later, which is what Microsoft's support article lists.
- Install it and sign in: a Microsoft account, Apple ID or Google Account for personal use, or your work or school account for work.
- If the store won't show it, Microsoft's download page suggests opening aka.ms/AppstoreDirect on your phone. The same page notes that availability of mobile apps varies by country or region.
Once you're in, the navigation pane on the phone app lists Search, Library, Create, Agents and Notebooks. Microsoft's mobile article is clear that the features you see depend on the licence you have, so don't worry if a colleague's phone shows more than yours.
Already installed? Make sure it's the updated app
Microsoft moved personal-account users to an updated Copilot app in 2026, and the phone app is where this bites. Microsoft says that if you use the Copilot mobile app, you'll need to download the updated version to keep using it. The update may install itself, or you may need to request it manually. On Windows, the Copilot icon on your taskbar may change too.
The good news is that your chat history and most of your content move with you. And you can still chat with Copilot, create images and upload files for free, subject to available capacity and limits. Whether you'll ever need to pay is a separate question, and my breakdown of what's free in Copilot covers it.
Skip the install: use it in a browser
If you're on a shared computer, an older Mac, or a work PC you can't install things on, you don't need the app at all. Microsoft's support page gives www.copilot.com for the web app, and copilot.cloud.microsoft as the web route too. The web version also accepts Apple and Google sign-ins, which makes it the easiest way in for anyone without a Microsoft account.
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Taking it off again
Changed your mind? Microsoft's steps are short. On Windows 11, open Settings, then Apps, then Installed apps, find Copilot, open the More options (...) menu and choose Uninstall. On Windows 10, open Settings, then Apps, find Copilot and choose Uninstall. On a phone, remove it the way you'd remove any other app.
Where I'd get it from
I'd check the Microsoft Store or your phone's own app store first, and use Microsoft's download page for a Mac. Skip third-party download sites completely: every official route is free to download from Microsoft or the app stores, and an installer from anywhere else is a risk you don't need. If you can't install anything, the browser version does the job. When it's up and running, here's what to do with Copilot once it's installed, and for the background on the app's new name, this explainer on the Microsoft Copilot app has it.
If you're rolling Copilot out across a team's laptops and phones and want it set up once, that's the kind of AI enablement I help with. I run AI training and workshops for teams, and help businesses with AI enablement and workflow automation, so the busywork runs itself and people get time back. Most of that work is with SaaS marketing teams and small businesses. Here's how we can work together.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I download Copilot for Windows?
From the Microsoft Store. On new Windows 11 PCs, Microsoft says the Copilot app should already be installed and pinned to the taskbar or Start menu.
Is Copilot on the Mac App Store?
Microsoft's support article points you to its own download page for the Mac desktop app, and that page says it requires MacOS Sonoma 14 or later.
What iOS version does the Copilot app need?
Microsoft's support article lists iOS 16.0 or later for iPhone and iPad.
Can I use Copilot without downloading anything?
Yes. Go to www.copilot.com or copilot.cloud.microsoft in a browser and sign in.
Why did my Copilot phone app stop working?
Microsoft moved personal-account users to an updated Copilot app, and says mobile users need to download the updated version to keep using it.
