Guide to the Figma desktop app
This article is available for both the previous Figma UI and the new Figma UI. Use the toggle at the bottom left of the page to select your current UI. Get to know UI3: Figma’s redesign.
Before you start
Who can use this feature
Available on any plan
macOS: Must be running macOS 11 or later
Windows: Must be running Windows 10 or later in a 64-bit environment
Learn more about Figma's browser requirements.
The Figma desktop app gives you access to the same features and functionality as using Figma in a browser. You can also:
- Develop plugins and widgets for your organization or the Figma Community
- Access and use fonts installed on your device without needing the font installer
Download the Figma desktop app
Figma has desktop apps available for macOS and Windows. Download the Figma app for a more native Figma experience.
Check your system requirements
Check if your device meets the minimum operating system requirements for installing and using the Figma desktop app.
macOS
The Figma desktop app is optimized for Macs with Intel and Apple Silicon processors.
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
- Select About this Mac.
The version number will be displayed under the version name. You must be running macOS 11 or later.
Windows
- Click the Start button.
- Enter Computer in the search field.
- Right-click and select Properties.
- Identify the version under the Windows edition field. You must be running Windows 10 or later in a 64-bit environment.
Note: It's not possible to run the Figma desktop app behind a proxy. If you're using a proxy, you will need to use Figma in the browser instead.
Download and install desktop apps
- Download Figma for desktop:
- Figma will download the desktop app to the location you have configured. Click on the downloaded file to run the installer.
- Move the Figma icon from the Downloads folder to your Applications folder.
- Delete the Installer from your Desktop or Downloads folder.
- Open the Figma app to get started.
Note: Figma agent is a secure background service that Figma also installs when you install the desktop app. It allows Figma to access fonts on your computer, and open Figma links in the desktop app.
Figma agent runs an HTTP and HTTPS server on localhost. It only allows connections from figma.com and isn't exposed to the public internet.
You may see events related to the Figma agent in your console log or when monitoring activity on your computer. The loopback address for localhost resolves to 127.0.0.1.
Updating the desktop app
We recommend keeping the desktop app updated to the latest available version. If you are not on the latest version, a message will display in the app prompting you to update. Support for previous versions is removed six months after release.
Beta version of the desktop app
Figma also has a beta version of the desktop app available.
By using the beta version of the app, you're helping Figma test bug fixes and performance improvements, before we release them to the general public. The beta version does not give you access to features Figma hasn't released yet.
You can install and use the Figma desktop app and the beta version at the same time. Both versions of the desktop app will offer the same core features and functionality.
You do not need to be logged into the same account on both versions.
Download the beta version
Caution: The beta version of the desktop app is a test environment. If you notice issues or behaviors that need our attention, please submit a bug report. Switch to the regular version of the desktop app if needed.
- Download the beta version of the Figma Desktop app:
- Figma will download the app to the location you have configured. Click on the downloaded file to run the installer.
- Move the Figma icon from the Downloads folder to your Applications folder.
- Delete the Installer from your Desktop or Downloads folder.
- Open the Figma Beta app to get started.
Once installed, app icons display as Figma for the regular desktop app and Figma Beta for the beta version.
Log in to Figma
Log in to your Figma account using:
File browser
When you open the Figma desktop app, you’ll see the file browser where you can explore and access drafts, teams, and resources in your account. Learn more about the file browser and exploring your account.
When viewing the Community through the desktop app, you can navigate back and forward using the arrow keys.
View files and prototypes
Viewing a file or prototype opens up a tab in the desktop app’s navigation bar. You can differentiate between file types using the default favicons next to the file name.
Emojis in file names are supported and will be used in the tab instead of the default favicon if it is included at the start of the file name.
Tip: If you have multiple tabs open, Figma will notify you using the tab's name and favicon when a collaborator mentions you or spotlights themselves in a file you're not currently looking at.
Manage tabs
You can pin a tab to the navigation bar by right-clicking it and selecting Pin tab from the menu. A favicon will be used to indicate the pinned tab. Hover over the pinned tab to view the full file name.
To unpin a tab, right-click on the tab and select Unpin tab.
The right-click menu has additional options for managing your tabs:
- Close other tabs: Closes other tabs except for the currently selected tab, including pinned tabs.
- Close all tabs: Closes all tabs including the currently selected tab.
Note: When playing prototypes in presentation view, tabs are hidden. If you'd like to show tabs in presentation view, select View > Always Show Tabs When Presenting from the toolbar.
This setting is only available on Mac. For Windows, adjust your window size to include tabs in full screen.Split tab view
Split tab view lets you access two files in the same window. You can enter split tab view with two different files, or with two instances of the same file.
- Split two different files: Click and drag a tab from the navigation bar to the right or left side of the canvas. A blue highlight indicates which side the tab will snap to.
-
Split the same file: Right-click on the tab in the navigation bar and select Open in Split Tab.
Note: When the same file is split into two tabs, any changes made in one tab automatically appear in the second tab.
While in split tab view, you can click and drag the center handle to resize the split.
To exit split tab view, right-click on the tab in the navigation bar and select Separate tabs or click the X to close one of the tabs.
Multiple windows
You can open multiple windows at once using the desktop app. Click and drag a tab out of the current window to open a new one. You can also drag tabs between your open windows.
Desktop notifications
Access your Figma notifications from the Menu Bar on Mac or the System Tray on Windows. Notifications keep you in loop with your Figma files, Community activity, comments, and more.
Available on the desktop app only.
Trackpad haptic feedback
Haptic feedback is a physical response to a virtual action, such as a small vibration or other touch sensation.
On the Figma desktop app, you can enable trackpad haptics to receive feedback for actions such as creating prototype connections in Figma, using emotes and high-fives in FigJam, and more.
To turn on haptic feedback:
- From any file, click on the Figma dropdown menu.
- Select Preferences.
- Toggle on Trackpad Haptic Feedback.
Haptic feedback is available for trackpads on macOS devices. In order to use this feature, make sure the Force Click and haptic feedback setting is enabled from your Mac’s System Preferences > Trackpad settings.
Before you start
Who can use this feature
Available on any team or plan.
macOS: Must be running macOS 11 or later
Windows: Must be running Windows 10 or later in a 64-bit environment
Learn more about Figma's browser requirements.
The Figma desktop app gives you access to the same features and functionality as using Figma in a browser. You can also:
- Develop plugins and widgets for your organization or the Figma Community
- Access and use fonts installed on your device without needing the font installer
Download the Figma desktop app
Figma has desktop apps available for macOS and Windows. Download the Figma app for a more native Figma experience.
Check your system requirements
Check if your device meets the minimum operating system requirements for installing and using the Figma desktop app.
macOS
The Figma desktop app is optimized for Macs with Intel and Apple Silicon processors.
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
- Select About this Mac.
The version number will be displayed under the version name. You must be running macOS 11 or later.
Windows
- Click the Start button.
- Enter Computer in the search field.
- Right-click and select Properties.
- Identify the version under the Windows edition field. You must be running Windows 10 or later in a 64-bit environment.
Note: It's not possible to run the Figma desktop app behind a proxy. If you're using a proxy, you will need to use Figma in the browser instead.
Download and install desktop apps
- Download Figma for desktop:
- Figma will download the desktop app to the location you have configured. Click on the downloaded file to run the installer.
- Move the Figma icon from the Downloads folder to your Applications folder.
- Delete the Installer from your Desktop or Downloads folder.
- Open the Figma app to get started.
Note: Figma agent is a secure background service that Figma also installs when you install the desktop app. It allows Figma to access fonts on your computer, and open Figma links in the desktop app.
Figma agent runs an HTTP and HTTPS server on localhost. It only allows connections from figma.com and isn't exposed to the public internet.
You may see events related to the Figma agent in your console log or when monitoring activity on your computer. The loopback address for localhost resolves to 127.0.0.1.
Updating the desktop app
We recommend keeping the desktop app updated to the latest available version. If you are not on the latest version, a message will display in the app prompting you to update. Support for previous versions is removed six months after release.
Beta version of the desktop app
Figma also has a beta version of the desktop app available.
By using the beta version of the app, you're helping Figma test bug fixes and performance improvements, before we release them to the general public. The beta version does not give you access to features Figma hasn't released yet.
You can install and use the Figma desktop app and the beta version at the same time. Both versions of the desktop app will offer the same core features and functionality.
You do not need to be logged into the same account on both versions.
Download the beta version
Caution: The beta version of the desktop app is a test environment. If you notice issues or behaviors that need our attention, please submit a bug report. Switch to the regular version of the desktop app if needed.
- Download the beta version of the Figma Desktop app:
- Figma will download the app to the location you have configured. Click on the downloaded file to run the installer.
- Move the Figma icon from the Downloads folder to your Applications folder.
- Delete the Installer from your Desktop or Downloads folder.
- Open the Figma Beta app to get started.
Once installed, app icons display as Figma for the regular desktop app and Figma Beta for the beta version.
Log in to Figma
Log in to your Figma account using:
File browser
When you open the Figma desktop app, you’ll see the file browser where you can explore and access drafts, teams, and resources in your account. Learn more about the file browser and exploring your account.
When viewing the Community through the desktop app, you can navigate back and forward using the arrow keys.
View files and prototypes
Viewing a file or prototype opens up a tab in the desktop app’s navigation bar. You can easily differentiate between Figma, FigJam, and prototype file types with default favicons next to the file name.
Emojis in file names are supported and will be used in the tab instead of the default favicon if it is included in the beginning your file name.
Tip: If you have multiple tabs open, Figma will notify you using the tab's name and favicon when a collaborator mentions you or spotlights themselves in a file you're not currently looking at.
Manage tabs
You can pin a tab to the navigation bar by right-clicking it and selecting Pin tab from the menu. A favicon will be used to indicate the pinned tab. Hover over the pinned tab to view the full file name.
To unpin a tab, right-click on the tab and select Unpin tab.
The right-click menu has additional options for managing your tabs:
- Close other tabs - Closes other tabs except for the currently selected tab, including pinned tabs.
- Close all tabs - Closes all tabs including the currently selected tab.
Note: When playing prototypes in presentation view, tabs are hidden. If you'd like to show tabs in presentation view, select View > Always Show Tabs When Presenting from the toolbar.
This setting is only available on Mac. For Windows, adjust your window size to include tabs in full screen.Split tab view
Split tab view lets you access two files in the same window. You can enter split tab view with two different files, or with two instances of the same file.
- Split two different files: Click and drag a tab from the navigation bar to the right or left side of the canvas. A blue highlight indicates which side the tab will snap to.
-
Split the same file: Right-click on the tab in the navigation bar and select Open in Split Tab.
Note: When the same file is split into two tabs, any changes made in one tab automatically appear in the second tab.
While in split tab view, you can click and drag the center handle to resize the split.
To exit split tab view, right-click on the tab in the navigation bar and select Separate tabs or click the X to close one of the tabs.
Multiple windows
Multiple windows are supported in the desktop app. Click and drag a tab out of the current window to open a new one. You can also drag tabs between your open windows.
Desktop notifications
Get Figma notifications from the Menu Bar on Mac or the System Tray on Windows. Notifications keep you in loop with your Figma files, Community activity, comments, and more.
Available on the desktop app only.
Learn more about notifications →
Trackpad haptic feedback
Haptic feedback is a physical response to a virtual action, such as a small vibration or other touch sensation.
On the Figma desktop app, you can enable trackpad haptics to receive feedback for actions such as creating prototype connections in Figma, using emotes and high-fives in FigJam, and more.
To turn on haptic feedback:
- From any file, click on the Figma dropdown menu.
- Select Preferences.
- Toggle on Trackpad Haptic Feedback.
Haptic feedback is available for trackpads on macOS devices. In order to use this feature, make sure the Force Click and haptic feedback setting is enabled from your Mac’s System Preferences > Trackpad settings.