B.Legal Practice Intelligence
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Platforms

B.Legal runs on macOS, iOS, the web, and as a PWA on Windows, Chromebook, and Android. This guide covers installation and platform-specific features for each.

macOS

Overview

The macOS app is a native SwiftUI application and the most complete B.Legal platform. It includes platform-exclusive features like screen-capture time inference, iMessage scanning, Touch ID unlock, and local AI via Ollama. The app is distributed as a DMG download and updates automatically via Sparkle.

Installation

  1. Download the DMG. Go to b.legal and download the Mac app. The DMG file downloads to your Downloads folder.
  2. Open the DMG. Double-click the downloaded file. A Finder window opens showing the B.Legal app icon and an Applications folder alias.
  3. Drag to Applications. Drag the B.Legal icon onto the Applications folder. This copies the app to your Applications directory.
  4. Launch B.Legal. Open B.Legal from the Applications folder. On first launch, macOS may prompt you to confirm because the app was downloaded from the internet. Click "Open."
  5. Sign in. Enter your B.Legal account credentials. If you do not have an account yet, click "Book a Demo" to get started.

Touch ID

  1. Enable Touch ID. After signing in, enable biometric unlock in Settings. Your session is then protected by Touch ID without your password being stored.
  2. Unlock with a touch. When you open the app, authenticate with Touch ID to unlock your saved session -- this also means your data opens without re-entering credentials.

Automatic Updates (Sparkle)

  1. Updates check automatically. B.Legal checks for updates automatically. When an update is available, you are prompted to install it.
  2. Install the update. B.Legal downloads the update, verifies its EdDSA signature (ensuring it has not been tampered with), and installs it.
  3. Check manually. Use "Check for Updates…" in the B.Legal app menu to check immediately.

App Sandbox

The macOS app runs inside Apple's App Sandbox, which restricts access to only the files and system features that B.Legal declares. File access outside the app's container goes through Open/Save panels you control, and capabilities like Full Disk Access (iMessage scanning) or Screen Recording (screen capture) are requested only when you enable the feature that requires them.

macOS-exclusive features

  • Screen-capture time inference (opt-in, reviewed by you)
  • iMessage scanning for time entry suggestions
  • Touch ID unlock
  • Local AI via Ollama (works offline)
  • Keyboard shortcuts (Cmd+N, Cmd+Shift+N, Cmd+1–5, and more)
  • Local database with encrypted automatic backups
  • Manual backup to any folder you choose

iOS & iPadOS

Overview

The iOS app brings time tracking, matter management, billing, and trust accounting to iPhone and iPad, with Face ID unlock and cloud sync against the same Firestore data as your Mac and the web app.

Installation

  1. Open the App Store. Search for "B.Legal" in the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Download and install. Tap "Get" to download the app. It installs automatically.
  3. Sign in. Open the app and sign in with your B.Legal account credentials. Your data syncs from the cloud.

Face ID

  1. Enable Face ID. Turn on biometric unlock in the app's settings.
  2. Authenticate. B.Legal uses your device's Face ID to unlock your saved session when you open the app -- without storing your password.

Tips

  • AI features on iOS use the Anthropic Claude cloud backend by default, since iPhones can't run a local Ollama model.
  • Mac-only features -- screen capture, iMessage scanning, local backups -- are not available on iOS; everything that syncs through the cloud is.
  • Open the app periodically to let it refresh -- sync runs while the app is in use.

Web App

Overview

The B.Legal web app runs in any modern browser -- Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge -- with no installation required. It is a companion to the native apps: matters, clients, contacts, time entries, invoicing (including expenses), trust deposits and withdrawals, a deadline list, and the AI assistant, all in real-time sync with the native apps. The deepest features -- capture pipelines, litigation tools, reports, and backups -- live in the Mac and iOS apps.

Getting Started

  1. Navigate to b.legal. Open your browser and go to b.legal.
  2. Sign in. Click "Sign In" and enter your email and password.
  3. Start using B.Legal. After signing in, you land on the app with your firm's data live from the cloud.

Installing as a PWA

You can install the web app as a Progressive Web App (PWA) for an app-like experience on any platform. See the Windows/Chromebook or Android sections below for platform-specific PWA installation instructions.

Tips

  • The web app requires an internet connection for your data. The PWA caches the app shell, but live data comes from Firestore.
  • Keyboard shortcuts are a feature of the macOS app.
  • For capture pipelines, litigation tools, and offline access, use the native macOS or iOS apps.

Windows & Chromebook (PWA)

Overview

On Windows and Chromebook, B.Legal is available as a Progressive Web App (PWA) installed from Chrome or Edge. The PWA runs in its own window (no browser chrome) and appears in your taskbar and Start menu like a native application.

Installation from Chrome

  1. Open Chrome and navigate to b.legal. Go to b.legal and sign in.
  2. Install the PWA. Click the install icon in the Chrome address bar (it looks like a monitor with a down arrow), or click the three-dot menu, then "Install B.Legal."
  3. Confirm installation. A dialog appears asking if you want to install B.Legal. Click "Install."
  4. Launch from the Start menu or taskbar. B.Legal is now installed as an app. Find it in your Start menu (Windows) or app launcher (Chromebook), and pin it to your taskbar for quick access.

Installation from Edge (Windows)

  1. Open Edge and navigate to b.legal. Go to b.legal and sign in.
  2. Install the app. Click the three-dot menu, then "Apps," then "Install B.Legal." Confirm when prompted.

Tips

  • The PWA receives updates automatically. When B.Legal releases an update, the PWA updates the next time you open it.
  • The PWA caches the app shell for fast startup, but your data requires an internet connection.

Android (PWA)

Overview

On Android, B.Legal is available as a Progressive Web App (PWA) installed from Chrome. The PWA provides the web app experience with an app-like interface and a home screen icon.

Installation

  1. Open Chrome on your Android device. Navigate to b.legal.
  2. Sign in. Enter your B.Legal credentials.
  3. Install the PWA. Chrome displays a banner at the bottom of the screen that says "Add B.Legal to Home screen." Tap the banner. If the banner does not appear, tap the three-dot menu and select "Add to Home screen" or "Install app."
  4. Confirm. Tap "Install" or "Add" in the confirmation dialog.
  5. Open from the home screen. B.Legal appears on your home screen as an app icon. Tap it to open B.Legal in a full-screen app experience.

Tips

  • For the best experience, use Chrome. Other Android browsers may support PWA installation but with reduced functionality.
  • The PWA updates automatically when you open it. No manual update process is needed.

Cross-Platform Sync

How sync works

B.Legal uses Google Cloud Firestore for real-time data synchronization across platforms. When you create or edit a time entry on your Mac, it appears on your iPhone, the web app, and any PWA within seconds.

What syncs

  • Core practice data: Matters, clients, contacts, time entries, invoices, payments, expenses, trust transactions, tasks, and court dates -- plus conflict-check and reconciliation records.

What does not sync

  • Document files: Stay on the device where you imported them (with an optional Google Drive mirror).
  • Captured communications and screen-capture data: Stay on the local Mac; only approved time entries sync.
  • AI drafts and research results: Stay on the device where you generated them.
  • Local backups and Ollama models: Per-device by design.

Tips

  • Conflicts are resolved by last-write-wins. If you edit the same record on two devices simultaneously, the most recent save takes precedence.
  • The native apps keep a local database, so your data loads instantly at launch. If a change fails to push (e.g., a connection blip), the app surfaces a sync-error banner -- keep the app open once you're back online so changes go through.
  • On macOS, enable biometric unlock so you can open the app and read your local data even without a connection.
  • Sign in with the same account on all devices to see your data everywhere.

Having trouble with a specific platform?

Our support team can troubleshoot installation issues, sync problems, and platform-specific configuration.

Contact Support Back to Help Center