Anthropic is bringing its Claude Cowork AI agent platform to mobile devices and web browsers for the first time, the company announced Tuesday, alongside a shift to cloud-based processing that lets sessions continue even when your laptop is closed.
The expanded access rolls out first to Max subscribers, with other Claude plan tiers gaining access “in the coming weeks,” according to the company.
From Desktop to Pocket
Claude Cowork was previously limited to the Claude desktop application for macOS and Windows. The new mobile support extends to both iOS and Android, putting Anthropic’s AI agent capabilities directly into users’ pockets. However, Anthropic cautions that the “full experience” — including local file access — remains on the desktop app.
The move positions Claude Cowork against competing AI agent platforms from OpenAI, Google, and others that have already embraced mobile-first or web-first deployment strategies.
Cloud-Native by Default
Perhaps the most significant change is that Cowork sessions will now run in the cloud by default. This means users can start a task on one device and pick it up on another, or dispatch background tasks that continue even after closing their laptop lid.
Desktop users still retain the option to switch between cloud and local processing depending on their workflow and privacy needs. Scheduled tasks benefit from the cloud shift as well — they will now execute even when none of the user’s devices are actively online.
Notifications and Limits
Claude can now push Cowork notifications directly to a user’s phone when the AI has completed a task or needs review or approval. This brings the experience closer to a true autonomous assistant that can work asynchronously alongside the user.
To sweeten the launch, Anthropic is extending its doubled Cowork usage limits through August 5th, giving subscribers additional runway to explore the expanded capabilities.
What This Means for the AI Agent Race
Anthropic’s decision to go cloud-native and multi-platform reflects a broader industry shift: AI agents are evolving from experimental desktop tools into always-available productivity companions. By supporting mobile and web alongside desktop, while enabling persistent cloud sessions, Claude Cowork positions itself as a serious contender in the rapidly expanding AI agent space.
With competitors shipping similar features and the underlying AI models growing more capable by the quarter, the battle for the AI agent market is increasingly about platform reach and reliability — areas where Anthropic is now making aggressive moves.