Free offline LaTeX OCR on Mac: setup and limits
Set up unlimited free local LaTeX OCR in SmartSnip for Mac. Learn the model requirements, offline workflow, and difference between local and cloud processing.
By SmartSnip Updated
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SmartSnip can recognize equations on your Mac without sending the image to a cloud OCR model. Download the local OCR assets once, enable Local OCR, and use Math or Mixed mode to produce LaTeX. Local recognition has no cloud-credit limit.
Step by step
Complete setup while online
Use a Mac running macOS 13.5 Ventura or later. Install SmartSnip and complete the account and app setup before preparing an offline workflow.
Install the OCR assets
Open Settings → Models → Local OCR → Get Started. Choose Install Local OCR and wait for the download to finish. Model files need to be present on your Mac before math recognition can run offline.
Test and choose a recognition mode
Use Test in the Local OCR setup panel. Choose Math for formulas, Mixed for prose and formulas, or Text for plain text. Math and Mixed modes need the local formula models.
Enable Local OCR and capture a formula
Enable Local OCR in the app settings, then use the snipping shortcut. Check the rendered formula and copy the LaTeX into your editor. Try the workflow offline after installation so you know your setup is ready.
What is free?
The Free plan includes unlimited local OCR and 5 cloud usage credits per month, shared across cloud OCR and AI chat. Local OCR does not consume cloud credits. Paid plans provide more cloud credits.
A local formula capture does not spend cloud credits. Local AI chat is a separate feature and uses Ollama models installed on your Mac; installing OCR assets does not install chat models.
What stays on the Mac?
Local OCR processes screenshot and document content on your Mac. Download the OCR models and complete setup while online before using OCR offline. Account services, model downloads, updates, and usage analytics may still use the network; cloud OCR and cloud chat send content for remote processing.
“Offline OCR” describes where recognition runs. It does not mean that every SmartSnip service is disconnected. Read the privacy policy for account data, usage counts, and third-party processing.
Local OCR modes
Choose the mode that matches the content you capture.
- Math: recognizes formulas and produces LaTeX using local formula models.
- Mixed: combines text recognition and formula recognition for selections containing both.
- Text: recognizes plain text rather than mathematical notation.
Troubleshooting local recognition
If the installation test fails, check the model download status and complete the download while online. If a capture produces plain text instead of LaTeX, check that you selected Math or Mixed mode. For misread symbols, enlarge and recapture the source before editing the output.
Local processing is useful for repeated equation capture and working without cloud OCR. Complex layouts still need review; optional cloud OCR uses credits and requires internet access.