Anthropic brings Claude Cowork to phones and the web
Anthropic says Claude Cowork is expanding beyond desktop with cloud-based sessions, mobile alerts and broader access starting with Max subscribers.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
2 min read
Anthropic said Tuesday that Claude Cowork is now available on mobile and the web for the first time, widening access to an AI work platform that had been limited to desktop computers. The change also moves Cowork sessions to the cloud by default, letting tasks continue after a laptop is closed.
The rollout starts with Claude Max subscribers, Anthropic said. Users on other Claude plans are set to receive access in the coming weeks, according to the company.
Until now, Claude Cowork worked through Anthropic’s desktop app for macOS and Windows. Anthropic said the new release adds access through iOS and Android, as well as through the web.
Cloud sessions become the default
Anthropic said Cowork sessions will now run in the cloud by default. That allows users to pick up a session from different devices and lets Cowork keep handling background tasks when a laptop is shut.
The company said desktop users will still have a local processing option. In the desktop app, users can choose between cloud processing and local processing, according to Anthropic.
Anthropic also said scheduled tasks can run even when a user has no devices online. Claude can send phone notifications when Cowork has work ready for review or needs approval, the company said.
Desktop keeps some features
Anthropic said the desktop app will still offer the “full experience” for Claude Cowork. The company cited local file access as one feature tied to the desktop version.
That means the mobile and web launch expands where people can use Cowork, while some capabilities remain centered on the macOS and Windows apps. Anthropic did not specify in its announcement when those desktop-only features might reach mobile or web.
The company is also extending higher Cowork usage allowances. Anthropic said the doubled usage limits for Cowork will remain in place through Aug. 5.
The update fits Anthropic’s effort to make Claude available across more devices and to let AI tasks continue without requiring an open desktop session. For users already working with Cowork, the main change is that projects can move between computer, phone and browser while cloud-hosted sessions keep running in the background.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.