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Brave Leo is built into Brave Browser, so you do not need a separate app or extension. To start, accept the Leo opt-in prompt, then open Leo from the address bar or sidebar on desktop, or from the address bar or main menu on Android. Enter a question or instruction in the chat box and send it.
Enable Leo for the first time
On desktop, accept Brave’s Leo opt-in notice when it appears. Leo is not active until you confirm. The notice also explains that Leo may use the current webpage or text you highlight to answer your prompt. For Brave’s instructions on opting in and turning the feature off, see How do I disable Brave Leo?
Use Leo on a computer
Ask from the address bar
- Click the address bar and type a question or search query.
- Choose Ask Leo from the suggestions.
- Enter your prompt in the chat box and send it.
If the Ask Leo suggestion is unavailable, Brave says it can be enabled or disabled under Settings → Appearance → Leo AI Assistant.
Open the sidebar or full-page chat
- Click the Leo icon in Brave’s sidebar to open a chat panel.
- Visit
brave://leo-aifor a dedicated, full-page chat workspace. Brave also documents expanding a sidebar conversation into this full-page view.
Use the model selector or Leo settings menu to choose an available model or adjust settings. Brave’s desktop setup instructions are in How do I use Brave Leo?
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Use Leo on Android
- In Brave for Android, tap the address bar, enter a query, and choose Ask Leo; alternatively, open Leo from the main menu.
- Type your prompt in the chat box and tap send.
- Open the three-dot menu in the chat to choose a model, start a new chat, manage subscription settings, or adjust other Leo settings.
These steps come from Brave’s Android Leo guide. A complete current English-language iOS workflow and feature parity are not established by the cited instructions, so do not assume the desktop or Android steps apply unchanged to iPhone or iPad.
What you can ask Leo to do
Brave documents Leo for summarizing webpages and videos, answering questions about content, generating text, translating, and general conversation. You can select from the models available in Leo. These are documented capabilities, not a guarantee that every answer will be accurate or complete.
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Understand privacy and choose a model carefully
Brave’s opt-in notice says Leo may receive the current webpage’s content or text you highlight to answer a request. Brave also says some queries may be derived from your input and sent to Brave Search. Avoid including sensitive information unless you are comfortable with the applicable data handling.
Brave says conversations with models it hosts are not stored or logged by Brave after a response is generated, and describes reverse-proxy handling. For externally hosted models, Brave’s model guide says conversation data may be retained by the provider for a limited time—no more than 30 days—and is not used for model training. Handling therefore depends on the selected model and provider; check the model selection screen and Brave’s current privacy information before sharing material. See What are the differences between Leo’s AI Models?
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- NIST Certification: FIPS 140-3 validated for government and regulated organizations (Overall Level 2, Physical Security Level 3).
- Works with 1000+ Accounts: Supported by Google and Microsoft accounts, Identity Access Managers, password managers and 1000+ popular services. It works with operating systems and browsers including Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Linux, Chrome, and Edge.
- Fast & convenient login: Plug in your YubiKey via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- Most secure passkey: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it.
- Built to last: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Made in Sweden with the highest security standards.
Brave’s opt-in notice warns: “The accuracy of responses is not guaranteed, and may include inaccurate, misleading, or false information.” Verify important claims and do not rely on Leo alone for consequential decisions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Free access, Premium, and turning Leo off
Leo has a free option with limited access. Brave describes Premium as optional, with higher rate limits and access to additional models; it is not required for basic Leo use. Brave’s desktop help page, published March 18, 2025, listed Premium at $14.99 per month and coverage for up to five devices across Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. These terms can change, so verify the current plan and price before subscribing.
To turn Leo off or withdraw the opt-in, use Brave’s Leo controls in Settings and choose Clear Leo data to remove locally stored conversation data. Follow Brave’s current disablement instructions for the available settings in your version.
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