Run Flux Locally

Need a quick and private way to create AI images without relying on pricey subscriptions? Check out Flux, a handy open-source text-to-image model that you can run right on your computer with the Draw Things app. Whether you’re an artist, a developer, or just having fun with AI, running Flux locally means you’re in control, and you don’t need an internet connection.

This guide will help you set everything up, even if your device isn’t super powerful. Don’t worry, there’s a way around that.

What Is Flux and Why Run It Locally?

Flux is a lightweight, open-source tool that generates high-quality images from text prompts. It’s designed to be easy to use, especially with the Draw Things app.

When you run Flux on your own machine, you get:

• No cloud syncing or usage limits
• No data shared with anyone else
• Total control to adjust settings and run custom LoRAs
• The ability to work offline once it’s installed

This setup is great for creators who want speed, privacy, and cost-efficiency.

Best Tool to Run Flux Locally: Draw Things App

If you want to run Flux easily on your computer, the best option is the Draw Things app. It’s a free tool made for generating images with AI right on your machine. With Draw Things, you get:

• One-click downloads for models
• The ability to generate images offline after you set it up
• Control over steps, guidance scale, resolution, and other settings
• Support for LoRAs, custom styles, and generating multiple images at once

Draw Things officially supports Flux, so you can install Flux on Mac with just a few clicks – no code or complicated setup needed. If your hardware isn’t cutting it, you can check out Rentamac.io for remote access to powerful Mac minis that can handle models like Flux without having to buy new equipment.

How to Run Flux AI Locally, Step-by-Step

To run Flux locally, you can:

1. Download and install Draw Things on your device.
2. Open the app and go to the model downloader section.
3. Download the selected Flux AI model from the list.
4. Load and run the model locally.

Now let’s examine each of these steps carefully.

Step 1: Download Draw Things

Head over to the App Store and download Draw Things – it’s free and gets updates often. 

If you don’t have a Mac or your computer isn’t powerful enough, you can rent a ready-to-go Mac mini from Rentamac.io. It’s a simple way to get Apple Silicon performance without any hassle. You can run Draw Things with Flux easily, without worrying about setup or buying new hardware.

Step 2: Open the App and Load the Flux Model

After installing, launch the Draw Things app. You’ll see the following interface, with three options:

Choose the second option: Download a model via Draw Things. Then, look for “Flux” in the models section.

You’ll find different versions of the Flux model, like:

• Flux-1-schnell
• Flux-1-dev
  

Choose your preferred variant and click Download.
This will automatically install the model and prepare it for local use.

Step 3: Adjust Settings (Optional)

You can adjust the settings to fit what you need or what your computer can handle:

• Sampling Steps – Using a higher number of sampling steps gives you better details, but it takes longer. The Flux models usually work well with 1 to 150 steps.
• Image Size – You can choose from different suggested measurements. For best results, we suggest using 1:1 / Normal size.
• Strength – A high value of strength allows more artistic freedom from the original, ranging from 0% to 100%.

These tweaks can help you get the right mix of speed and quality. Feel free to experiment since there are no limits on usage.

Step 4: Start Creating Images  

You’re all set to create! Just type what you want in the text box, like “Create an image of a guy drinking a cocktail,” and hit Generate. 

Your image will show up in a few seconds, no internet needed, and no outside servers are involved.

Why Run Flux Locally

Running Flux on your own computer has some real perks, especially if you care about privacy, speed, and having full creative control:

• No Internet Needed – Once you have it set up, Flux works completely offline. You can make images anywhere without an internet connection.
• Private by Default – Your prompts, settings, and any content you create stay right on your device. Nothing goes to the cloud.
• Quicker Response Times – If everything is set up right, generating images is fast and smooth – no waiting for servers.
• No Limits – No tokens, no subscriptions, no slowdown. Create as much as you want.
• Creative Freedom – Play around with styles, LoRA models, and custom settings in Draw Things.

Whether you’re making art for fun, doing AI research, or working on projects for clients, generating locally keeps things quick, flexible, and all yours. Whether you’re using your own setup or renting a machine through Rentamac.io, running Flux locally gives you powerful AI right at your fingertips, without relying on the cloud.

Real-World Cases to Use Flux

Flux is great for anyone who needs reliable image generation without relying on complicated external tools. Here are some great ways to use it:

• Concept Art – Quickly whip up characters, backgrounds, and scenes for games, books, or personal projects.
• Design – Create drafts or inspiration for posters, branding, social media, or digital art.
• Creative Brainstorming – Turn text prompts into visuals in no time, which is perfect for early product or content ideas.
• Educational Use – Teachers and students can learn about AI art concepts and prompt crafting without needing the internet.
• Model Testing – Use Draw Things to experiment with different styles, samplers, and image sizes right on your device.
• Remote Teams – Work on visuals together without sharing files on third-party servers, especially useful for confidential projects.

Minimum Hardware Requirements for Running Flux

If you want to run Flux smoothly with the Draw Things app, here’s what you’ll need:

• Processor (CPU):

– A modern multi-core processor is best.

– It’s recommended to use Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3) for the best performance.

– Recent Intel Macs will work too, but they might be a bit slower.

• Memory (RAM):

– You’ll need at least 8 GB of RAM for small models.

– For faster performance and better resolution, aim for 16-32 GB of RAM.

• Storage:

– Make sure you have at least 10 GB of free space to download the Flux model files.

– More space is necessary if you plan on using multiple models or LoRA extensions.

• Operating System:

– You’ll need macOS 12.4 or newer to install Flux on Mac using the latest version of Draw Things.

– Draw Things is working on versions for Windows and iOS, but for now, Mac is the most reliable option.

• GPU:

– You don’t need an external GPU – Flux works well with Apple’s Neural Engine or the integrated GPU.

PC Not Powerful Enough? Rent a Mac Mini Instead

If your computer is falling short on specs, no worries! You can rent a high-performance Mac mini from Rentamac.io and start creating images with Flux in no time.

So, why go for a Mac mini rental?

• It works great with AI tools like Draw Things and Stable Diffusion
• Get the power of Apple Silicon without having to buy new hardware
• Use it from any device – whether it’s a PC, laptop, or tablet
• It’s budget-friendly – no big upfront costs, just pay for what you use
• It’s all set up for you, so you can dive right into your creative projects

Whether you’re a developer, designer, or just curious about AI art, renting a Mac mini is a quick and wallet-friendly way to run Flux smoothly.

Conclusion

Running Flux on your own machine gives you quick access, control, and privacy – no subscriptions or waiting on servers. The Draw Things app is super easy to use, so even if you’re not great with tech, you can get the hang of it.

If your device can’t handle Flux, don’t worry. You can rent a Mac mini to get that Apple performance and start making images right away.

FAQ

• Do I need a Mac to run Flux locally?  

Flux runs best with the Draw Things app, which is designed for macOS. If you don’t have a Mac, you might want to rent one from Rentamac.io to get started fast.

• Is Draw Things free?  

Yes, Draw Things is free on the Mac App Store.

• Can I use Flux without internet?  

Yes! Once you download the model in Draw Things, you can use Flux offline.

• What kind of prompts can I use?  

Any descriptive text works well. Try phrases like “vintage car in desert at sunset” or “futuristic city in rain” for detailed images.

• How long does it take to generate an image?  

If your setup is decent, Draw Things can create a Flux image in just a few seconds.

Run Other AI Models Locally

• Run Stable Diffusion Locally
• Run Whisper Locally
• Run Phi-4 Locally
• Run Qwen Locally