OpenAI has expanded ChatGPT’s capabilities on macOS with a new integration that allows users to search, read, summarise, draft and send messages through Apple’s Messages app.
The new Apple Messages plugin, announced on Friday, enables ChatGPT Work and Codex to access iMessage, SMS and RCS conversations stored on a Mac once the integration is enabled.
Users can ask ChatGPT to find specific conversations, summarise messages or draft replies without manually searching through the Messages app. They can also instruct ChatGPT to send messages through Apple’s messaging platform.
OpenAI said the integration is available across ChatGPT plans, but it currently works only on the Apple Silicon version of the ChatGPT desktop app for macOS.
The feature is not available through regular ChatGPT chats, the web version, mobile applications, Codex CLI or the Codex IDE extension.
For added control, ChatGPT will by default ask users to approve both the message and recipient before sending. Users can also give ChatGPT permission for a specific conversation to send future messages without requesting approval each time.
The integration is notable because Apple has traditionally placed restrictions around third-party access to its Messages ecosystem, making direct integration with iMessage relatively uncommon.
OpenAI also announced several other updates to ChatGPT and Codex.
The company is expanding Computer History, a feature that allows ChatGPT to access previous computer activity, to users in the European Economic Area, Switzerland and the UK. The feature is available to ChatGPT Pro users on macOS.
Codex users can now create read-only snapshots of conversations and share them through links. The snapshots exclude tool calls as well as shell inputs and outputs.
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Pinned Codex conversations will also now synchronise between the ChatGPT desktop app and iOS when users are signed into the same account, although the feature does not currently support Android.
Meanwhile, ChatGPT Sites owners on Plus and Pro plans can now change their ChatGPT-hosted website URLs without redeploying their sites. OpenAI said the previous address will automatically redirect visitors to the new one.
The Messages integration represents a further step in OpenAI’s push to make ChatGPT interact with users’ everyday applications and digital workflows directly from the desktop.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
