Can I Run Phi-4 Family on Apple M1?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated July 12, 2026
Yes, but it's tight — Phi-4 (14B) at Q4_K_M needs 10.9 GB at 8K context (8.5 GB weights + 2.4 GB KV cache/overhead), leaving ~1.1 GB of the Apple M1's 12 GB usable memory, at ~4 tok/s (est.), with room for up to 8K context.
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Apple M1 Specs
| VRAM | 16 GB unified memory |
| Memory Bandwidth | 68 GB/s |
Phi-4 (14B) on the Apple M1: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 16 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 30.5 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q8_0 | 17.4 GB | ✗ No | — | Build for this |
| Q6_K | 14 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q5_K_M | 12.4 GB | ✗ No | — | Build for this |
| Q4_K_M | 10.9 GB | ✓ Yes | 8K | Build for this |
| Q3_K_M | 8.4 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q2_K | 7.1 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
Assumes an 8K-token context with an f16 KV cache. A longer window needs more; a quantized KV cache needs less. “Max context” is the largest window that still fits in 16 GB of unified memory. Figures are estimates from parameter count, quantization and memory bandwidth — the analyzer lets you tune KV-cache quant and context.
Context costs VRAM too. At Q4_K_M on the Apple M1: 8K 10.9 GB · 16K 12.6 GB ✗. Past 16K it no longer fits 16 GB — a q8_0 KV cache buys roughly half of that back, which the calculator will price for you.
No compatible GPU? Phi-4 (14B) on 16 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs, but it is tight.
Phi-4 Family Sizes That Fit the Apple M1 (at 8K context)
| Phi-4 (14B) | Q4_K_M · 10.9 GB at 8K context · ~4 tok/s (est.) |
Phi-4 Family needs ~11 GB but this GPU has 16 GB. Rent a RTX 4090 (24 GB)-class GPU by the hour instead of buying one:
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Cloud rates verified 2026-07 — estimates, and marketplace prices vary. Buying price is GPU MSRP only, not a full PC.
FAQ
Is the Apple M1 enough to run Phi-4 Family locally?
Yes, but it's tight — Phi-4 (14B) at Q4_K_M needs 10.9 GB at 8K context (8.5 GB weights + 2.4 GB KV cache/overhead), leaving ~1.1 GB of the Apple M1's 12 GB usable memory, at ~4 tok/s (est.), with room for up to 8K context.
What's the best Phi-4 Family size for the Apple M1?
Phi-4 (14B) at Q4_K_M quantization needs 10.9 GB at 8K context (8.5 GB weights + 2.4 GB KV cache/overhead), estimated ~4 tokens/sec, up to 8K context.
Phi-4 Family on Other GPUs
- Phi-4 Family on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080
- Phi-4 Family on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
- Phi-4 Family on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB
- Phi-4 Family on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super
- Phi-4 Family on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
Popular Models on the Apple M1
VRAM Tier
Troubleshooting
- Ollama: "model requires more system memory than is available"
- Which GGUF quant should I download? (Q4 vs Q5 vs Q8)
Buying Guide
← Can I Run It? | Phi-4 Family Model Page | Apple M1 GPU Page | VRAM calculator | Check Your Hardware