How to Use Ollama on Android: Local Network or Ollama Cloud

Q: Why can my Android phone not see my Ollama server on the local path?

The three usual causes are that the phone and computer are on different networks, that Ollama is still bound to localhost so you need to set OLLAMA_HOST to 0.0.0.0 and restart it, or that a firewall is blocking port 11434. Check them in that order.

This is the Android walkthrough for Ollama Mobile. There are two ways to connect from your Android phone, and this guide covers both. On iPhone instead? Use the iPhone guide.

Ollama Mobile is an unofficial, community-built client. It connects to a server you choose. It does not run the model on your phone.

Key takeaways

Two ways to connect. Use your own computer on the same Wi-Fi, or use Ollama Cloud with an API key.
Local network path: make Ollama listen on your network, point the app at http://YOUR-IP:11434, and nothing leaves your Wi-Fi.
Ollama Cloud path: switch Mode to Cloud, paste your API key, and you are connected with no server to run.
Either way, your phone is the client. The model runs on the server you pick.

Two ways to connect

Path	What runs the model	What you need
Local network	Your own computer	Ollama on that computer, same Wi-Fi
Ollama Cloud	Ollama’s hosted servers	An Ollama Cloud API key

Pick the one that fits. You can save both connections in the app and switch between them whenever you want.

Before you start

You need the app either way:

Ollama Mobile installed from Google Play.

For the local network path:

Ollama installed and running on your computer, with at least one model pulled. If you have not pulled one yet, run ollama pull llama3.2.
Your Android phone and your computer on the same Wi-Fi network. A guest network or a work VLAN will usually block this.

For the Ollama Cloud path:

An Ollama account with Ollama Cloud and an API key. Nothing to install on a computer.

Connect over your local network

On this path your own computer does the work and nothing leaves your Wi-Fi.

Step 1: Make Ollama listen on your network

By default Ollama only answers requests from the same computer (it binds to 127.0.0.1). To let your phone reach it, tell Ollama to listen on every interface by setting OLLAMA_HOST to 0.0.0.0, then restart it.

macOS (the desktop app):

launchctl setenv OLLAMA_HOST "0.0.0.0"

Then quit Ollama from the menu bar and open it again.

Windows: open Settings, search for “environment variables”, add a new user variable named OLLAMA_HOST with the value 0.0.0.0, then quit and reopen Ollama.

Linux (systemd): add the variable to the service, then restart:

sudo systemctl edit ollama
# add under [Service]:
#   Environment="OLLAMA_HOST=0.0.0.0"
sudo systemctl restart ollama

If you start Ollama from a terminal instead, run it with the variable in front: OLLAMA_HOST=0.0.0.0 ollama serve.

Step 2: Find your computer’s local IP

You need the address other devices use to reach your computer on the network.

macOS: ipconfig getifaddr en0 (use en1 if you are on a second adapter).
Windows: run ipconfig and read the IPv4 Address line.
Linux: hostname -I and take the first address.

You are looking for something like 192.168.1.20 or 10.0.0.15. Write it down.

Step 3: Add a Local connection

Open Ollama Mobile and add a connection. Set Mode to Local, give it a Name (anything, like “My Mac”), and enter your computer’s address in Base URL:

http://192.168.1.20:11434

Swap in the IP from Step 2, then tap Test Connection. When it succeeds, tap Save. Now skip ahead to pick a model and chat.

Ollama Mobile Edit Connection screen on Android: Local mode, a name, and the Base URL

The local connection points Ollama Mobile at http://YOUR-IP:11434.

Connect to Ollama Cloud

On this path there is no server to run and no terminal. You sign in to Ollama Cloud, create an API key, and paste it into the app. Your prompts go to Ollama’s hosted servers, so this path needs an internet connection.

Step 1: Get your Ollama Cloud API key

Sign in to your account at ollama.com and create an API key in your account settings. Copy it so you can paste it into the app in the next step.

Step 2: Add a Cloud connection

In Ollama Mobile, add a connection and set Mode to Cloud. Give it a Name (like “Ollama Cloud”). The Base URL is already set to https://ollama.com/api, so you only need to paste your key into API Key. Tap Test Connection, and when it succeeds, tap Save.

Ollama Mobile Edit Connection screen on Android: Cloud mode, a name, the ollama.com Base URL, and an API Key field

The cloud connection uses your API key. No home server required.

Pick a model and chat

Once a connection is saved, choose one of your models and send a message. On the local path you are running a model on your computer and talking to it from your phone, all on your own network. On the cloud path you are talking to a model on Ollama Cloud.

Ollama Mobile chat on Android with a model selected

Pick a model and start chatting.

If it does not connect

On the local network path, before changing anything in the app, open Chrome on your phone and visit http://YOUR-IP:11434. If it shows Ollama is running, the server is reachable and the issue is in the app’s address. If it does not load, the problem is the network or the server.

Chrome on Android showing the text Ollama is running

A reachable server shows “Ollama is running” in Chrome.

Same network? Confirm the phone is on the same Wi-Fi, not cellular or a guest network.
Did Ollama restart after Step 1? The OLLAMA_HOST change only takes effect on restart.
Firewall? Allow incoming connections on port 11434, or your computer will silently drop them.
Right IP? Your phone cannot reach localhost or 127.0.0.1. That points the phone at itself. Use the network IP from Step 2.

On the Ollama Cloud path, the address is fixed, so the usual causes are the API key and your connection.

Key pasted in full? Tap the eye icon to reveal the API Key field and confirm there is no missing or extra character.
Right account? Make sure the key is from the Ollama account that has Cloud access.
Online? Cloud needs an internet connection, unlike the local path.

Frequently asked questions

Does Ollama Mobile run the model on my Android phone?

No. The model runs on your Ollama server, which is either your own computer or Ollama Cloud. Your phone is the client that sends prompts and shows the answers, so it is not doing the inference.

Should I use the local network path or Ollama Cloud?

Use the local network path when you are home and want everything to stay on your own Wi-Fi with no internet. Use Ollama Cloud when you do not want to run a server yourself, or when you are away from home. You can save both and switch between them in the app.

Why can my Android phone not see my Ollama server on the local path?

The three usual causes are different networks (including a guest Wi-Fi), Ollama still bound to localhost (set OLLAMA_HOST=0.0.0.0 and restart), or a firewall blocking port 11434. Check them in that order.

How do I get an Ollama Cloud API key?

Sign in to your account at ollama.com and create an API key in your account settings. Then paste it into the API Key field when you add a Cloud connection in Ollama Mobile.

Is this the official Ollama app?

No. Ollama Mobile is an independent, community-built client. It works with Ollama but is not made or endorsed by the Ollama project.

Next steps

You now have Ollama on your Android phone, on your own network or through Ollama Cloud. Read the full guide to using Ollama on your phone, or set up a second device with the iPhone guide.