ChatGPT can now read, organize, draft, and send Apple Messages on Mac, bringing AI-powered texting with privacy and safety controls.
OpenAI has launched a new plug-in that connects ChatGPT to Apple’s Messages app on the Mac. The plug-in lets ChatGPT read, sort, and even send text messages for users. It was released on August 20, 2026, as part of an update to the ChatGPT desktop app. This move brings AI directly into one of the most popular messaging tools in the world.
The plug-in works with iMessage, SMS, and RCS conversations. Once a user connects their Messages inbox, ChatGPT can search old texts, draft replies, and send messages on their behalf. It can also delete unwanted messages and summarize long conversations. A short promotional video shows someone asking ChatGPT to suggest replies based on texts received the day before.
This feature is not just for personal use. It also works inside Codex and ChatGPT Work, which are tools built for professional and business tasks. That means people can use the plug-in to manage work messages, not only casual chats with friends and family. OpenAI says this can help save time on routine replies.
There is one important limit to know. The plug-in only works on Macs with Apple Silicon chips, so older Intel-based Macs cannot use it. It also does not work in ChatGPT on the web, on mobile devices, or in other coding tools. Users must install it from the Plugins section inside the Mac app.
Privacy is a major concern with this kind of feature. OpenAI told Bloomberg that the plug-in runs locally on the user’s own computer. The company also said it does not build a searchable index of all a person’s messages. However, OpenAI has not explained exactly what that promise covers in full detail.
Safety is also a focus for OpenAI. By default, ChatGPT will only send a message after the user approves both the content and the recipient. OpenAI warns against turning on a setting called persistent approval, which allows the AI to send messages without checking each time. The company says this setting “removes your final chance to review a message” before it goes out.
In short, ChatGPT can now act as a helper for everyday texting, drafting, and organizing messages on the Mac. The tool offers real convenience, but it also raises fresh questions about privacy and trust. As more people try the plug-in, it will likely face closer scrutiny over how safely it handles private conversations.
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