Can I Run Gemma 4 26B-A4B on Apple M2?
Autor: Jakub Rusinowski · Ostatnia aktualizacja: 12 lipca 2026
Not at Q4_K_M — that needs 18.2 GB at 8K context and the Apple M2 has 18 GB usable. Drop to Q3_K_M and it fits in 13.6 GB, with up to 16K of context.
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The numbers
| Model | Gemma 4 26B-A4B |
| Parameters | 26B (4B active, MoE) |
| Quantization | Q4_K_M |
| VRAM needed (8K context) | 18.2 GB |
| Apple M2 usable memory | 18 GB |
| Verdict | Runs at a lower quant |
| Fits at | Q3_K_M (13.6 GB) |
| Max context | 16K |
Gemma 4 26B-A4B on the Apple M2: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 24 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 54.5 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q8_0 | 30.1 GB | ✗ No | — | Build for this |
| Q6_K | 23.8 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q5_K_M | 20.9 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q4_K_M | 18.2 GB | ✗ No | — | Build for this |
| Q3_K_M | 13.6 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q2_K | 11.1 GB | ✓ Yes | 32K | — |
Assumes an 8K-token context with an f16 KV cache, on an estimated architecture — this model publishes no config we can read. A longer window needs more; a quantized KV cache needs less. “Max context” is the largest window that still fits in 24 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 M2: 8K 18.2 GB ✗ · 32K 23.3 GB ✗ · 128K 43.9 GB ✗. Past 8K it no longer fits 24 GB — a q8_0 KV cache buys roughly half of that back, which the calculator will price for you.
What to do next
Quantize to Q3_K_M. That is the cheapest fix — it costs some quality but no money.
No compatible GPU? Gemma 4 26B-A4B on 24 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs, but it is tight.
Running Gemma 4 26B-A4B on this card:
Gemma 4 26B-A4B needs ~18 GB but this GPU has 24 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.
Other Gemma 4 sizes on the Apple M2
- Gemma 4 31B — runs at a lower quant (21.3 GB)
- Gemma 4 12B (Unified) — runs (9.4 GB)
- Gemma 4 E4B — runs (6.4 GB)
- Gemma 4 E2B — runs (4.7 GB)
Gemma 4 26B-A4B on nearby hardware
- AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT (20 GB) — runs
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 (32 GB) — runs
All Gemma 4 sizes on the Apple M2 | Gemma 4 26B-A4B model page | Apple M2 GPU page | VRAM calculator | Check your hardware