Brave Leo is built into Brave Browser, so you do not need a separate app or extension. On desktop, accept the first-use opt-in, then open Leo from the address bar, sidebar, or brave://leo-ai. On Android, choose “Ask Leo” in the address bar or open Leo from the main menu.
Enable Leo in Brave on desktop
- Accept the opt-in notice. The first time you use Leo, Brave asks you to opt in. Leo does not become active until you confirm. Brave explains the opt-in and how to withdraw it.
- Open Leo. Choose one of these entry points:
- Type a query in the address bar and select “Ask Leo” from the suggestions.
- Click the Leo icon in the sidebar.
- Enter
brave://leo-aiin the address bar for a full-page chat workspace.
- Send a prompt. Type your question in Leo’s chat box and send it. Use the model selector or Leo settings menu to choose an available model or adjust settings.
If you do not want the address-bar suggestion, go to Settings → Appearance → Leo AI Assistant and disable it. Turning off the suggestion affects that shortcut; it is separate from using the sidebar or full-page chat. See Brave’s desktop Leo guide.
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Use Leo on Android
- In Brave for Android, tap the address bar, enter a query, and choose “Ask Leo”—or open Leo from the main menu.
- Enter your prompt in the chat box and tap send.
- Open the chat’s three-dot menu to choose a model, start a new chat, manage subscription settings, or adjust other Leo settings.
These steps are documented for Brave on Android. Brave’s Android instructions cover that platform specifically.
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What you can ask Leo to do
Brave documents Leo for tasks such as summarizing webpages and videos, answering questions about content, generating text, translating, and general conversation. Available models can be selected in Leo. These are documented capabilities, not a guarantee that a particular answer will be complete or correct. Brave’s desktop guide lists these uses.
#1 Best Overall
- NIST Certification: FIPS 140-3 validated for government and regulated organizations (Overall Level 2, Physical Security Level 3).
- Works with 1000+ Accounts: Supported by Google and Microsoft accounts, Identity Access Managers, password managers and 1000+ popular services. It works with operating systems and browsers including Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Linux, Chrome, and Edge.
- Fast & Convenient Login: Plug in your YubiKey via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- Most Secure Passkey: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it.
- Built to Last: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Made in Sweden with the highest security standards.
Understand what happens to your data
When you ask about a page, Leo may receive the current webpage’s content or text you highlighted. Brave also says some queries may be derived from your input and sent to Brave Search. Avoid sharing sensitive information, and verify important answers: Brave warns in its opt-in notice that “The accuracy of responses is not guaranteed, and may include inaccurate, misleading, or false information.” Brave reproduces this warning in its opt-out instructions.
Data handling depends on the model and who hosts it. Brave says conversations with Brave-hosted models are handled through a reverse proxy and are not stored or logged by Brave after a response is generated. For externally hosted models, Brave says the provider may retain conversation data for a limited period of up to 30 days and does not use it for model training. These are Brave’s published descriptions; check the current privacy policy and the model-selection screen for the terms that apply to the model you choose. Brave’s model comparison explains the hosting and retention distinctions.
Rank #2
- HARDWARE 2FA AND MFA: FIDO Alliance Certified FIDO2 v2.1 with CTAP2 plus legacy U2F and CTAP1 for strong two-factor login and passwordless sign-in on services that support security keys
- BUILDING ACCESS ON ONE CARD: MIFARE DESFire EV2 4K applet with AES encryption adds office door and physical access control alongside digital authentication
- CERTIFIED SECURE ELEMENT: An NXP Common Criteria EAL6+ certified secure controller and Java Card platform protects your keys on a tamper-resistant chip
- DUAL INTERFACE SMART CARD: Contactless NFC ISO 14443 plus ISO 7816 contact reader support in an ISO 7810 ID-1 format that is passive and needs no battery
- SWISS ENGINEERED DESIGN: Built by Cryptnox as a single card for authentication and access control and backed by a 2 year warranty
Turn Leo off or clear its stored data
To disable Leo or withdraw your opt-in, use Brave’s Leo controls in Settings. Brave’s disablement instructions also describe clearing locally stored conversations with “Clear Leo data.” Clearing local data is distinct from any handling by an external model provider; consult the model-specific terms if you have used one. Follow Brave’s current disablement instructions.
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Brave offers Leo with limited free access. Premium is optional and, according to Brave’s Help Center guide published March 18, 2025, adds higher rate limits and access to additional models. That guide listed Premium at $14.99 per month and coverage for up to five devices across Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows; these plan terms may change, so check Brave’s current plan details before subscribing. You do not need Premium to try basic Leo access. See Brave’s Leo guide for the listed plan details.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- NIST Certification: FIPS 140-3 validated for government and regulated organizations (Overall Level 2, Physical Security Level 3).
- Works with 1000+ Accounts: Supported by Google and Microsoft accounts, Identity Access Managers, password managers and 1000+ popular services. It works with operating systems and browsers including Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Linux, Chrome, and Edge.
- Fast & convenient login: Plug in your YubiKey via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- Most secure passkey: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it.
- Built to last: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Made in Sweden with the highest security standards.
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