Can I use Private Cloud Compute with Foundation Models?
Asked on 2026-06-13
1 search
Yes — Private Cloud Compute (PCC) can be used with the Foundation Models framework.
Apple says you can access a new server model running on Private Cloud Compute from your app, and that the Foundation Models framework provides a unified Swift API so you can switch between the on-device model and the PCC model without rewriting your code. It also supports features like structured output and tool calling with PCC just like on-device models.
A few important notes from Apple:
- PCC is available only on Apple Intelligence devices
- There’s no account setup, authentication, or API keys
- It has usage limits, and higher limits may be available with iCloud+
- For apps with fewer than 2 million first-time downloads, PCC is available with no cloud API cost
If you want the deeper walkthrough, the most relevant session is Build with the new Apple Foundation Model on Private Cloud Compute.
Build with the new Apple Foundation Model on Private Cloud Compute
Private Cloud Compute lets you access powerful, frontier-class models while protecting user privacy. Explore how it works and how to access it using the Foundation Models framework. Discover best practices for checking availability and handling graceful fallbacks in your apps.
What’s new in the Foundation Models framework
Explore what’s new in the Foundation Models framework. Learn how to access Private Cloud Compute, integrate third-party and open source models, and work with vision capabilities. Discover context management APIs, built-in semantic search, and powerful primitives for creating agentic experiences in your apps.
Build AI-powered scripts with the fm CLI and Python SDK
Explore all the new ways to leverage Apple Foundation Models on macOS. The Foundation Models SDK for Python lets you integrate with popular tooling and evaluation packages in the Python ecosystem. Find out how to use the brand new fm command introduced in macOS 27 to streamline scripting, automate model workflows, and accelerate your development process.