On-device AI in Fitaily. Analysis without sending every task to the cloud
Fitaily uses the model provided by Apple's system to run selected text tasks directly on iPhone. This analysis does not go to the cloud and uses no request quota.
What does on-device AI mean?
BASICS
On-device AI means the computation happens on your device rather than on a server. In Fitaily, supported text tasks are run by the language model available in iOS.
The practical difference is simple: the task content is not sent to a cloud provider as part of that analysis, and the result does not depend on connectivity when the model is already available on the device.
How does Fitaily use Apple Foundation Models?
Fitaily did not train its own model and does not bundle one. It uses the model provided by Apple's system (Apple Foundation Models), available on compatible devices with Apple Intelligence enabled.
Fitaily prepares the request, validates the result and only then proposes a diary entry. When a food is unclear, the app does not invent values.
Which tasks can run locally?
WHAT RUNS LOCALLY
The local scope is text-based today. These features are available in Private mode on a compatible device:
- Meal description analysis (ingredients, portion, calories and macros)
- Activity estimate: calories, hydration, recovery
- Recipe generation from a text description
- Food-name cleanup and correction
- Estimate suggestion in product search
What are the requirements?
REQUIREMENTS
On-device AI does not run on every iPhone. All conditions must be met at once: a compatible device, the right OS version, Apple Intelligence enabled and the model downloaded. Fitaily checks availability on every analysis.
On-device AI requirements| Condition | Description |
|---|
| Device | iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence |
|---|
| OS | iOS 26 or later for text tasks |
|---|
| Apple Intelligence | Enabled in iPhone Settings |
|---|
| Model | Downloaded and ready |
|---|
| AI consent | Granted in the app |
|---|
If any condition is missing, Private mode ends with a clear message and a next step. It does not send data to the cloud.
What happens if on-device AI is unavailable?
Fitaily does not automatically fall back to the cloud. If a task is meant to run locally and the model is unavailable, the analysis stops.
This is intentional: no silent fallback means the privacy of the local mode is not an illusion.
On-device AI vs photo analysis
SCOPE BOUNDARY
Local text tasks and photo analysis are two different things. Photo meal analysis currently uses cloud AI — we do not describe it as a local feature.
The distinction matters because photo and text analysis have different requirements, privacy boundaries and availability.
Photo analysis in the iOS app requires Premium and an internet connection.
Frequently asked questions
Does on-device AI need internet?
No, when the device and model are available. Local analysis is not emulated by the cloud.
Does on-device AI require Premium?
No. Supported local tasks do not require Premium, but they need a compatible device and OS.
Does Fitaily use its own AI model?
No. Fitaily uses the model provided by Apple's system (Apple Foundation Models).
Does photo analysis run on-device on iOS 26?
No. Photo analysis uses cloud AI and requires Premium in the iOS app.
Which devices support on-device AI?
Compatible Apple devices with a supported OS, Apple Intelligence enabled and the model downloaded.
Is AI consent required?
Yes. Both AI modes, including the local one, require AI consent in the app.
On-device AI depends on device compatibility and Apple model availability.