The ChatGPT app for Mac is now available to everyone. The app was first launched in mid-May but was limited to ChatGPT Plus subscribers. Now ChatGPT app for macOS is available to download for all users and no subscription is required to use it. This article will show you how to download ChatGPT for macOS and how to use this application on your Mac.
How to download ChatGPT application for Mac
Many users will search the App Store to download the ChatGPT macOS app, but there is no point in doing so. Currently, the ChatGPT app is not available on the Mac App Store. To avoid any problems, it is necessary to download the ChatGPT macOS application from the official OpenAI website. Here is a step-by-step introduction to download ChatGPT on Mac:
Note: You can only download the ChatGPT macOS app on Apple Silicon Macs (M1 or later) running macOS 14 Sonoma or later. This app is not available for Intel-based Macs.
- To download the official ChatGPT Mac app, visit https://openai.com/chatgpt/mac/
- Press the button Download.

- Once the download is complete, it's time to start the installation process. To do this, visit Downloads on Mac.
- Now, open the downloaded app and drag it in Applications.

- Next, open Applications from Finder and you will see the ChatGPT app icon, click on it.

- When you see a pop-up window, click Open.

- Once you open the app, you can log in with your ChatGPT Plus credentials or sign up to create a free account. If you signed up with a Google account, click Sign In with Google.

- This will display a small window called launcher desktop widgets that you can drag anywhere on the screen.

- The ChatGPT Mac app also adds an icon to the top menu bar. You can use it to open the application or exit the application.

How to use ChatGPT macOS application
ChatGPT for Mac app has a clean and minimalist interface with app settings and an input box for entering queries. The leftmost icon on the title bar will pop up a sidebar to show previous conversations. The ChatGPT title with a small arrow icon on the right shows a pull-down menu to select AI large language model (LLM) or Temporary Chat. In the upper right, you'll see a pen icon that starts a new conversation.
At the bottom, you have a “Message ChatGPT” placeholder text box where you can enter your query. On the left there is a paperclip icon to upload files, photos or screenshots. On the right is a microphone icon to send voice messages to AI. Finally, there's also a headset icon to initiate an audio connection for voice chat.
Note: The latest version of ChatGPT, GPT-4o, is available for free but allows a limited number of requests. ChatGPT Plus subscribers can log in for full access.
Quickly access ChatGPT on Mac
After opening the ChatGPT application, you can use keyboard shortcuts Option + Space to access the AI chatbot from any app you're currently using. It opens a text bar on whatever window you're in, similar to using a keyboard shortcut Command + Space to use Spotlight search on your Mac.

Just enter your question and press the key Return to send it. This will open the ChatGPT application window with the answer to your query. This is one of the best features of the ChatGPT desktop application for Mac. You can open ChatGPT instantly to find synonyms, define terms, or plan a journey without having to switch between windows.
The thing to know is the keyboard shortcut Option + Space does not work after you exit the application.
Ask questions with ChatGPT
You can ask anything and do anything using the ChatGPT Mac app. Simply enter the question in the text field and press Enter. You can ask ChatGPT to rewrite text, provide feedback, plan a 4-day trip to Italy, help prepare a 5-course meal, compare iOS 18 vs Android 15, etc.
ChatGPT also accepts voice commands. To do this, click on the small microphone icon in the bottom right. When prompted, press the button Allow. Now ask your question and click the little tick icon when done. Your query will immediately appear in the text box. Click the button Send and ChatGPT will immediately respond to you.

Start voice chatting with ChatGPT
There is a built-in Voice Mode to interact with ChatGPT using your voice. To use this feature, just click on the icon Headphones below. This will activate the voice session and you can start speaking to start a conversation with ChatGPT.

You can practice a new language, brainstorm new ideas for company growth, prepare for an interview or discuss a topic for your upcoming session. You can also ask ChatGPT to provide written notes for your voice session. To pause the conversation, click the button Pause in the upper right corner. To end the voice chat, click the button Back.

Open AI says a new version of Voice Mode with GPT-4o capabilities will be available in the coming weeks on Mac.
Take a screenshot of the desktop for discussion
You can take screenshots to discuss with ChatGPT. This feature is useful when you need help with some settings, want to compose a reply email, or want AI to check your code. To take a screenshot, click the icon Paperclip in the lower left corner, then click Take Screenshots. You can select a specific window or capture the entire screen.

When you try to take a screenshot for the first time, you will be asked to allow access to the screen recording feature in macOS System Preferences. If you don't see the prompt, you can go in System Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Screen & System Audio Recording and turn on the toggle ChatGPT.

If you want to take a photo, select “Take Photo” and allow ChatGPT to use your Mac's camera. After taking a screenshot or photo, type a message or start a voice chat. Make sure to attach a screenshot before asking a question.
Upload files and photos
In addition to taking screenshots and photos, you can upload files from your Mac. For example, you may need feedback on your Resume or ask an AI to describe an image for you. To do this, click the Paperclip icon and select Upload Files. Now, select a file, press the button Open and enter your query.
Access chat history
By default, ChatGPT stores your chat history shared across the desktop application and web browser application. To search your previous chats, click on the icon present on the left on the title bar. This will open a sidebar to display your previous conversations. From here, you can jump to your older chats using ChatGPT.

Start a temporary chat
ChatGPT stores all your chats and uses them to train its AI models. If you don't want ChatGPT to save or use your chats, you can switch modes Temporary Chat. It's basically like incognito mode in a web browser. To enter incognito mode in ChatGPT, click ChatGPT from the title bar and enable the toggle Temporary Chat.

Access ChatGPT desktop settings
The ChatGPT Settings menu displays your account information and contains options to change the AI voice, language, application interface, etc. It also allows you to delete chat history, customize ChatGPT, and manage manage your account. To access ChatGPT Settings on your Mac, click ChatGPT from the top menu bar and select Settings.

How to customize ChatGPT on Mac
ChatGPT Desktop Settings also provides a “Customize ChatGPT” option to modify AI responses. You can enter custom instructions to provide additional information so ChatGPT can provide better responses.
- Click ChatGPT from the top menu bar and select Settings.
- In section Accountclick Customize ChatGPT.

- Here you can enter custom instructions that will be applied to your new chats.

How to delete ChatGPT chat on Mac app
By default, ChatGPT stores all of your chats and uses the content to improve its models. If you don't want ChatGPT to use data or want to delete all of your ChatGPT chats, you can do that on your Mac app. Here's what you need to do:
- While the ChatGPT app is open, click ChatGPT from the top menu bar and select Settings.
- In section Account sectionclick Data Controls.

- Here, click the button Delete Chats to delete your chat history on ChatGPT.
- Now click Confirm. Once done, you won't see anything in your chat history.

- If you want to block ChatGPT from using your content to train your models, turn off the option Improve the model for Everyone.

- If you want to delete your ChatGPT account, you can tap on the option Delete Account.
That's how you can use the ChatGPT macOS app. Most users like how the app integrates seamlessly into everything on their MacBook. Thanks to the keyboard shortcut Option + Space in the ChatGPT Mac app, you can always have an AI chatbot at your fingertips.
Apple has also partnered with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. With user permission, Siri can pass complex AI requests to ChatGPT, while maintaining user privacy and data.