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Get the cat

Download Bongo Cat

Bongo Cat comes in several forms and each has its own download path. This guide covers the open-source desktop pet by vladelaina first: Microsoft Store for Windows, GitHub Releases for macOS and Windows, and a from-source build for Linux. The Steam game, the ayangweb project and the bongo.cat web toy follow, so you do not install the wrong cat.

Last updated & fact-checked: 2026-09-23Official sources
Current version
v1.12.0 (2026-09-21)
License
AGPL-3.0, open source
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
Price
Free

Before you download: pick the right cat

"Bongo Cat" is five different things, and installing the wrong one is the most common mistake. If you want the desktop pet with Live2D models that this wiki focuses on, you want BongoCat by vladelaina. If you actually want the free Steam game with item drops, see the versions explainer first and then jump to the Steam section below.

Windows

Two official channels, both fine:

Only download from these two channels. The project is open source under AGPL-3.0, so anything behind a "free download" page full of ads is not the official build.

The vladelaina app's model settings on Windows: built-in Standard, Keyboard and Gamepad listed as cards
The app's settings window on Windows. The model tab lists the built-in models as cards: Standard, Keyboard, Gamepad and demo. Screenshot: the vladelaina app.

macOS

macOS builds are published on the same GitHub Releases page. Download the macOS package that matches your chip, then move the app into your Applications folder as usual. If Gatekeeper complains about an unidentified developer, that is standard for apps distributed outside the Mac App Store; verify you are on the official releases page before overriding it.

Linux

Linux users get the best support of any Bongo Cat here, because the vladelaina project publishes full build documentation for Debian and Ubuntu. The short version:

  1. Install the build tools and libraries listed in the README (build-essential, cmake, ninja and the SDL3/OpenGL dependencies).
  2. Clone the repository and follow the Debian/Ubuntu build steps.
  3. Run the built binary; the cat sits on your desktop and reacts to your keyboard.

If the build fails, the troubleshooting page collects the common symptoms.

The other cats, briefly

For a deeper comparison of all of them, read which version is which, and check the safety page if keyboard-listening apps make you nervous.

Sources

Independent fan wiki. The original Bongo Cat artwork is by @StrayRogue; the Steam game is © Irox Games; the open-source projects are © their authors. Every fact on this page is labelled Official, Partially confirmed or Pending. See our about page.