How Every Mac User Can Now Access the Free ChatGPT App

The chatbot app is now available to all users with a compatible Mac, while Windows users are still waiting for their turn.

ChatGPT’s dedicated macOS app is now free and available for all Mac users, providing easier access to OpenAI’s chatbot on compatible devices.

OpenAI announced this on its X account, highlighting that the app offers “faster access to ChatGPT” and sharing several short videos showcasing its features. Previously, only Mac users subscribed to ChatGPT’s ‘Plus’ tier had access to the app.

This announcement follows Apple’s reveal at WWDC 2024 that ChatGPT would be integrated into Siri and other macOS, iOS, and iPadOS apps as part of its Apple Intelligence initiative.

How Macs Can Utilize ChatGPT

Anyone already using ChatGPT through a browser or other apps will be familiar with the tools it offers.

OpenAI’s X feed showcases features like screenshot input, searching past conversations, and learning more about anything on your computer.

However, the OpenAI support site specifies that the ChatGPT app requires macOS 14 and Apple Silicon (M1 or newer) to download. Those with older Macs can still use the chatbot but will need to access it via the ChatGPT webpage instead of the dedicated app.

Guide to Downloading and Using the ChatGPT App on Mac

The ChatGPT app for Macs is now available. Once downloaded onto a compatible device, it's very user-friendly.

Just press the “Option + Space” shortcut, and the ‘Message ChatGPT’ box will appear. From there, you can type a query, upload a file, take a screenshot or webcam photo, or open the full app.

As with the web version, you can expand or refine your query within the app.

Additionally, you can control ChatGPT using voice commands by tapping the headphone icon in the app.

When Can Windows Users Expect a Native ChatGPT App?

With the release of the dedicated Mac app, Windows remains the only major operating system without a native ChatGPT app. ChatGPT launched apps for iOS and Android in May and July of last year, respectively.

Despite Microsoft's multi-billion dollar investment in OpenAI, the company has prioritized Apple products for its desktop app rollout. The Windows app is expected to be available later in 2024.

In the meantime, Windows users will need to access ChatGPT via their web browsers. Microsoft, however, is advancing its own Copilot chatbot, recently enhancing its features for Windows 11 and improving usability on devices like the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6.

Copilot is integrated into Windows, Microsoft 365, Teams, and Edge, offering new capabilities such as AI-generated meeting summaries, email template creation, and customization of the Windows interface.