Elevate (Elivio Copilot) Desktop App: Install, Set Up and Use It on Mac and Windows

The Elevate (Elivio Copilot) desktop app is a free companion for macOS 13 or later and Windows 10 or 11. It lets the copilot point at things on your actual screen, and on a Mac it can also help type commands that you then run yourself. You download it from the desktop page, get past the first-run security prompt, grant a couple of permissions and keep the Copilot open in your browser.

It's optional. But for tool-heavy tasks, it's the difference between "click the third icon from the left" and the copilot simply circling it.

What the desktop app does

In the web app, the copilot can see your shared screen and talk you through things. The desktop app goes one step further: it can act on your screen.

• It points. It can circle or highlight the button or setting it's talking about, on your real screen, in any app.
• It opens what you need, like the page or tool for the next step.
• On a Mac, it can help with typing. With your permission, it can type, scroll, find, paste, press a small set of keys and click. For terminal work, it can type a command for you to run.

Two things it never does: it never presses Return for you, and it asks before it sends anything. You stay in control of anything that actually runs.

Requirements

• Mac: macOS 13 (Ventura) or later, on Apple Silicon or Intel.
• Windows: Windows 10 or 11, on x64 or ARM.
• Not supported: Linux, phones, tablets and macOS older than 13.

The desktop page describes it as "macOS & Windows · free · no account needed."

How to install the Elevate desktop app

1. Go to the desktop download page, or click Work on your screen in the Copilot's top bar.
2. Download the build for your computer: Apple Silicon Mac, Intel Mac, Windows (x64) or Windows on ARM.
3. Install it as you would any app.

Then comes the part that trips people up: the first launch.

First launch on a Mac

The Mac app isn't notarised yet, so macOS will block it the first time you open each new version. That's expected.

1. Try to open the app. macOS will say it can't be opened.
2. Open System Settings, then Privacy & Security.
3. Scroll down and choose Open Anyway for Copilot.

You'll need to repeat this after each update. It's a one-click step once you know where it is.

Next, permissions:

• Screen Recording lets the copilot see your screen. After granting it, restart the app.
• Accessibility is only needed if you want it to type for you.

First launch on Windows

Windows may show Windows protected your PC. Click More info, then Run anyway. This can happen again with new versions.

Windows support is more limited than on a Mac: the app can circle and point at things on your screen, but it doesn't type or click.

How to use it

The desktop app has no login and no AI of its own. It's driven by the Copilot tab in your browser, so keep that tab open while you work.

When you start a session in the Copilot, choose Connect the app in the Ready when you are dialog. Then work as usual.

Two shortcuts are worth learning:

• Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + A starts pointing mode. Tap or circle something on your screen to show the copilot what you mean.
• Ctrl/Cmd + . clears whatever's drawn on screen.

My tip: try pointing mode once on purpose before you need it, so it feels natural mid-task.

The app's menu in your system tray or menu bar has Clear what is on screen, Reopen Copilot in the browser, Permissions and Quit Copilot.

When it's worth using

I'd use the desktop app when your task lives in tools outside the browser: a code editor and terminal, a design tool, a spreadsheet with lots of menus, or setting up software for the first time. Having the copilot point at the exact setting saves a lot of back and forth.

For writing, research and planning tasks, the web app on its own is usually enough. Skip the desktop app if you're on a shared or school computer where you can't change security settings.

Privacy and control

The same consent applies as in the web app. Before the copilot sees your screen or hears you, you'll be asked to agree, and the consent screen explains how screen and voice are processed. On a Mac, typing help needs the separate Accessibility permission, which you can turn off at any time in System Settings.

Because the app never presses Return and asks before sending, nothing runs unless you choose to run it. If you ever want to stop, use Clear what is on screen or Quit Copilot from the menu.

Troubleshooting

The overlay doesn't appear. Check the Copilot tab is still open in your browser, then use Reopen Copilot in the browser from the menu.

It can see but can't type (Mac). Grant Accessibility permission in System Settings.

Screen sharing shows a black screen (Mac). Grant Screen Recording permission, then quit and restart the app.

It was blocked after an update. Repeat the Open Anyway (Mac) or Run anyway (Windows) step.

What to do in the next 15 minutes

Download the build for your computer, get it past the first-run prompt and grant Screen Recording. Then open a task in the Copilot, choose Connect the app, press Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + A and circle something to see how it works.

New to Elevate? Start with our getting started guide. And for using the copilot well, read how to use AI for projects without cheating and our guide to building a proof-of-work portfolio.