How to install Nut AI on iPhone using a Mac

Before you start

These are one-time installs. If you have used Terminal before, you may have them already — the first step checks.

1. 1

   Install Git

   Apple opens a small installer.

   Type this into Terminal, then press Return.

   xcode-select --install

   You know this worked when: Git responds with a version number

2. 2

   Install Node LTS

   Choose the macOS Installer (.pkg).

   Open download ↗

   You know this worked when: Node responds with a version number

Install Nut AI

1. 3

   Open Terminal

   Keep it open beside this page.

   You know this worked when: Terminal is open

2. 4

   Check Git and Node

   Git and Node 20.19 or newer are required.

   Type this into Terminal, then press Return.

   git --version
   node --version

   You know this worked when: Git and Node respond with version numbers

3. 5

   Copy Nut AI to this Mac

   Type this into Terminal, then press Return.

   cd ~
   if [ ! -d nut-ai/.git ]; then
   git clone https://github.com/Blueturboguy07/nut-ai.git
   fi

   You know this worked when: A nut-ai folder appears

4. 6

   Open the nut-ai folder

   Type this into Terminal, then press Return.

   cd nut-ai

   You know this worked when: Your terminal prompt is inside the nut-ai folder

5. 7

   Use the reviewed version

   Type this into Terminal, then press Return.

   git checkout d076430bc689d2ebd84a07f7a4bcbc3368466728

   You know this worked when: Git reports the reviewed commit

6. 8

   Install dependencies

   Type this into Terminal, then press Return.

   npm install

   You know this worked when: The command finishes without an error

7. 9

   Build the nutrition database

   It downloads the USDA tables itself first (about 10 MB). Re-running it is always safe.

   Type this into Terminal, then press Return.

   npm run data:build

   You know this worked when: It ends with 'Built …/nutrition.db' and foods: 7928

8. 10

   Install Xcode

   Large — start it early. Open it once afterwards so it finishes installing.

   Open the App Store page ↗

   You know this worked when: Xcode opens without asking to finish setup

9. 11

   Generate the iPhone project

   Type this into Terminal, then press Return.

   cd apps/mobile
   npm run prebuild

   You know this worked when: It ends with the use-release-scheme message

10. 12

    Open the project in Xcode

    Type this into Terminal, then press Return.

    open ios/NutAI.xcworkspace

    You know this worked when: Xcode opens with the NutAI project

11. 13

    Sign the app with your Apple ID

    NutAI target → Signing & Capabilities → Team. A free Apple ID works.

    You know this worked when: Signing & Capabilities shows no red error

12. 14

    Plug in your iPhone

    Unlock it, tap Trust, then pick it from the device menu.

    You know this worked when: Your iPhone is selected as the run destination

13. 15

    Press Run

    The ▶ button. The first build takes a few minutes.

    You know this worked when: Xcode finishes with Build Succeeded

14. 16

    Trust yourself on the iPhone

    On the phone: Settings → General → VPN & Device Management → your Apple ID → Trust.

    You know this worked when: Your Apple ID shows as trusted

15. 17

    Open Nut AI on your iPhone

    Scans use your own AI key (add it in Profile). Free signatures last 7 days — Run renews.

    You know this worked when: Nut AI opens on your phone

If something goes wrong

Nothing here can damage your computer, and every step can be run again safely. If a command fails, the usual cause is the step before it not having finished.

Still stuck? Tell us what happened and we will fix the guide. Include the step number and we can usually reproduce it.