text model · phi · iOS
Can I run Phi-4 14B on iPad Pro M4 (16GB, 1TB/2TB config)?
Yes. Phi-4 14B runs on iPad Pro M4 (16GB, 1TB/2TB config) at Q4_K_M (~10.8 GB of ~12 GB usable).
Fits at Q4_K_M (~10.8 GB of ~12 GB usable) but with little headroom, close other apps.
- Q4_K_M needed
- ~10.8 GB
- Usable on device
- ~12 GB
- Device memory
- 16 GB
- Best quant
- Q4_K_M
How to run it
On iOS use Apple Foundation Models (Built into iOS 26, ~3B on-device model, zero download, fully private.). Phones realistically run 1B-4B class models. Anything larger thermally throttles or OOMs.
- Parameters
- 14B
- Q4_K_M size
- 9.05 GB
- Q8_0 size
- 15.58 GB
- Context
- 16k
- Ollama tag
- phi4:14b
- Memory
- 16 GB unified
- Usable for weights
- ~12 GB
- Best runtime
- MLX (via Python or Swift; mlx-lm package)
You could also run
Run Phi-4 14B on other hardware
FAQ
Can iPad Pro M4 (16GB, 1TB/2TB config) run Phi-4 14B?
Yes. Phi-4 14B runs on iPad Pro M4 (16GB, 1TB/2TB config) at Q4_K_M (~10.8 GB of ~12 GB usable).
How much memory does Phi-4 14B need?
It is a tight fit on iPad Pro M4 (16GB, 1TB/2TB config). At Q4_K_M the weights are ~9.05 GB; with KV cache and runtime overhead, budget ~10.8 GB at a 4k context.
What is the best tool to run Phi-4 14B on iOS?
On iPhone and iPad, Apple Foundation Models (Built into iOS 26, ~3B on-device model, zero download, fully private.) is the standard choice. Phones realistically run 1B-4B class models. Anything larger thermally throttles or OOMs.
Sources
Memory figures are estimates. See methodology.