OpenAI’s ChatGPT desktop app for Mac has added the ability to read and respond to Apple iMessages, according to Engadget. The feature, reported on August 21, 2026, lets users interact with their text conversations directly through the chatbot interface.
The integration works through a dedicated Apple Messages plug-in, as detailed by TechCrunch. Users can grant ChatGPT permission to access their iMessage threads, after which the AI can draft replies or send messages on their behalf. This marks a notable expansion of ChatGPT’s capabilities beyond simple text generation, moving it into direct control of a core communication app.
The move raises questions about user privacy, with Yahoo Finance and Forbes both highlighting potential concerns. Apple has long positioned privacy as a central selling point for its ecosystem, and giving a third-party AI tool read-and-write access to iMessage data could test that brand promise. Neither Apple nor OpenAI has issued a public statement on how data from these interactions is stored or used, based on the reporting available.
USA Today notes that the feature is available now for Mac users, though it is unclear whether it requires a specific ChatGPT subscription tier or macOS version. The plug-in appears to be a separate download, not a built-in default, meaning users must actively enable it.
What to watch next: whether Apple tightens its App Store or system-level permissions to limit such third-party access, and if OpenAI extends similar iMessage controls to its iOS app.
