LocalPixHow to run Stable Diffusion on iPhone and iPad (offline)
Stable Diffusion runs directly on an iPhone or iPad: the model is converted to Apple's Core ML format and executed on the Neural Engine, so no PC, GPU server or cloud account is needed. You need iOS 18 or later, and iPhone 12 (A14 Bionic) or newer is recommended. The simplest way is an app that ships ready-converted models: LocalPix includes seven Stable Diffusion-based models (Stable Diffusion 2.1, Realistic Vision, MeinaMix, DreamShaper, ToonYou, Openjourney and ReV Animated), each about 1 GB, that generate 512 × 512 images offline in seconds.
How Stable Diffusion runs on an iPhone
Stable Diffusion is an open image-generation model. To run on iOS, it's converted with Apple's Core ML tools (Apple publishes the open-source ml-stable-diffusion project for this). The conversion splits the model so the heaviest parts run on the Neural Engine, Apple's dedicated machine-learning processor, and compresses the weights (6-bit palettization) so a full model fits in about 1 GB.
The result is a model that generates 512 × 512 images locally, without an internet connection and without a graphics card. The first time a model is loaded, iOS optimizes it for your device's Neural Engine; in LocalPix this one-time step takes about 1–2 minutes, and every generation after that starts quickly.
Which iPhones and iPads can run Stable Diffusion?
LocalPix requires iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 or later, and we recommend iPhone 12 (A14 Bionic) or newer, or an iPad with an M-series chip. Memory matters as much as the chip: on iPhones with 4 GB of RAM, LocalPix runs Stable Diffusion in a memory-saving mode that loads the parts of the model one at a time, so each image takes longer. iPhones with more memory keep the model loaded between images, which makes repeated generations noticeably faster.
| Device | Chip | RAM | Stable Diffusion in LocalPix |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone XS, XR, iPhone 11 series, iPhone SE (2nd gen) | A12–A13 | 3–4 GB | Can run iOS 18, but below the recommended spec |
| iPhone 12, 12 mini, 13, 13 mini, iPhone SE (3rd gen) | A14–A15 | 4 GB | Supported; memory-saving mode, slower per image |
| iPhone 12 Pro / Pro Max, 13 Pro / Pro Max, iPhone 14 series, iPhone 15 / 15 Plus | A14–A16 | 6 GB | Recommended |
| iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max, iPhone 16 family and newer | A17 Pro and newer | 8 GB or more | Fastest: about 8 seconds per 20-step image on iPhone 16 Pro Max |
| iPad with M-series chip (M1 or newer) | M1 and newer | 8 GB or more | Recommended |
Which Stable Diffusion models are available in LocalPix?
| Style | Model | Best for | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default | Stable Diffusion 2.1 base (Apple, palettized) | Fast general-purpose images | ≈ 1.1 GB |
| Realistic | Realistic Vision v5.1 | Photoreal people and scenes | ≈ 0.9 GB |
| Anime | MeinaMix v10 | High-quality anime illustration | ≈ 0.9 GB |
| Fantasy | DreamShaper 8 | Fantasy worlds and illustration | ≈ 0.9 GB |
| Cartoon | ToonYou | Stylized cartoon characters | ≈ 0.9 GB |
| Artistic | Openjourney v4 | Painterly, Midjourney-style art | ≈ 0.9 GB |
| 2.5D | ReV Animated | Fantasy and game-style characters | ≈ 0.9 GB |
Do you need a computer to use Stable Diffusion on iPhone?
No. Converting a model yourself requires a Mac and Python tooling, but apps such as LocalPix ship models that are already converted and optimized for the Neural Engine. You download a model inside the app and start generating on the phone. There is no account to create and no server involved in generation.
Stable Diffusion settings you can control on iPhone
- Prompt: describe subject, style, mood and lighting.
- Negative prompt: things to avoid, such as blur or extra fingers. Each LocalPix model has a sensible default if you leave it empty.
- Steps: 4 to 40. More steps add detail but take longer; 15–25 is a good range.
- Guidance scale: how strictly the image follows the prompt (around 7 is typical).
- Seed: fix it to reproduce an image or keep it random for new results.
- Image-to-image: start from your own photo, describe the change and choose how much should change; LocalPix calls this AI Edit.
In LocalPix, the advanced controls and AI Edit are part of LocalPix Pro.
LocalPix vs Draw Things and other ways to run Stable Diffusion on iOS
There are two kinds of Stable Diffusion apps on iPhone: on-device apps, which run the model locally, and cloud apps or websites, which upload your prompt to a server and need a connection. Among on-device apps, Draw Things is the best-known alternative. It's aimed at advanced users; LocalPix is built to be simple. The comparison below uses each app's App Store listing as of October 2026.
| LocalPix | Draw Things | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs offline on the device | Yes | Yes (optional cloud compute) |
| Models | 7 curated, ready-converted Stable Diffusion models | Many model families (including SDXL and FLUX); import community models and LoRAs |
| Advanced tools | Negative prompt, steps, guidance, seed, image-to-image (AI Edit) | ControlNet, inpainting and outpainting, LoRA training, video |
| Learning curve | Pick a style and type a prompt | Many settings, made for experienced users |
| Minimum system | iOS 18 / iPadOS 18 | iOS 15.4 / iPadOS 15.4 |
| App download | About 15 MB, plus about 1 GB per model | About 340 MB, plus the models you choose |
| Price | Free download; LocalPix Pro for unlimited images | Free download with optional in-app purchases |
Which option should you choose?
- You want good images quickly, with no setup: LocalPix. Each style comes with a tuned model and default settings.
- You want to experiment with SDXL, FLUX, LoRAs or ControlNet: Draw Things gives you far more control.
- You need the very largest models or legible text in images: a cloud service, accepting that your prompts are uploaded.
For a privacy-focused overview, see the offline AI image generator guide.
Run Stable Diffusion on your iPhone in 5 steps
- Install LocalPix. Get LocalPix: Offline AI Art from the App Store (iOS 18 or later). No account or sign-up is needed.
- Pick a model. Choose a style such as Realistic or Anime and download its Stable Diffusion model (about 1 GB, Wi-Fi recommended).
- Let it optimize once. The first time you use a model, LocalPix prepares it for your Neural Engine. This takes about 1–2 minutes and happens only once.
- Write a prompt. Describe what you want to see, including style and lighting, or tap Surprise Me for an idea.
- Generate offline. Tap Generate. The Neural Engine creates the image on the device in seconds, with or without internet.
Questions and answers
Can Stable Diffusion run on iPhone?
Yes. Stable Diffusion models converted to Core ML run on the iPhone's Neural Engine. Apps like LocalPix include ready-converted models, so no computer or cloud service is required.
Does Stable Diffusion work on iPhone 14?
Yes. The iPhone 14 series runs iOS 18, has 6 GB of RAM and an A15 or A16 chip, so it meets LocalPix's recommended spec (iPhone 12 or newer).
How much RAM does Stable Diffusion need on iPhone?
LocalPix works on 4 GB iPhones such as iPhone 12 and 13 by loading the model in parts, which is slower. iPhones with more memory keep the whole model loaded and generate repeated images faster.
Is Stable Diffusion on iPhone free?
The Stable Diffusion models are open (CreativeML Open RAIL-M licenses). LocalPix is free to download; unlimited generation and all seven models are included in LocalPix Pro.
What image size does Stable Diffusion produce on iPhone?
The models in LocalPix generate 512 × 512 images, the native resolution of the Stable Diffusion 1.5 and 2.1 base models they're built on.
Does Stable Diffusion on iPhone work offline?
Yes. After the model is downloaded, generation runs entirely on the device and works in airplane mode.