Official macOS desktop guide
ChatGPT for Mac.
OpenAI offers an official ChatGPT desktop app for macOS, from the Mac App Store or openai.com. It is free, works with every plan including Free, syncs your history and updates automatically — plus a global Option+Space shortcut, file drag-and-drop and voice.
The desktop app is official and free from OpenAI. This website is an independent guide and is not affiliated with OpenAI. Always confirm the developer is OpenAI and verify current requirements yourself.
Step by step
Install ChatGPT on Mac.
Five steps to get the official OpenAI desktop app running on macOS. These steps describe the general flow; exact screens can change with macOS and App Store updates.
Choose the official source
Open the Mac App Store, or go to openai.com/chatgpt/download to get the official desktop app for macOS.
Confirm the developer is OpenAI
On the Mac App Store, confirm the developer reads OpenAI before installing, since copycat apps also appear in results.
Download and install
Click Get on the Mac App Store, or download from openai.com and move ChatGPT to your Applications folder. The app is free.
Open and sign in
Launch ChatGPT and sign in with your OpenAI account, so your chat history syncs with chatgpt.com and your other devices.
Set the global shortcut
Press Option+Space to open ChatGPT from anywhere, and try drag-and-drop file uploads and voice mode.
Use more than ChatGPT
Want ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok and more in one place?
MultipleChat is useful when you do not want to jump between separate AI tabs. You can use multiple leading AI models, compare answers side by side, generate images, work with documents, and use AI Collaboration when one answer is not enough.
Privacy-first: MultipleChat doesn’t save your chats to memory and doesn’t share your data with model providers or let them train on it.
Open MultipleChatGood to know
Features, requirements and safety on Mac.
What the desktop app adds
The official ChatGPT desktop app is free from OpenAI and works with every plan, including Free. It syncs your chat history across devices and updates automatically. On top of that it adds a global keyboard shortcut (Option+Space), drag-and-drop file uploads, voice mode and the ability to give ChatGPT screenshot or screen context so you can ask about what is on your screen.
System requirements
The Mac desktop app generally requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later and runs on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs as a universal app. Requirements can change between releases, so check the current requirements on the Mac App Store listing or OpenAI's help center rather than relying on these figures alone.
App Store or openai.com?
Both sources are official. The Mac App Store handles installation and updates through Apple, while openai.com/chatgpt/download offers a direct download. Either way, confirm the source is the Mac App Store or openai.com and that the developer is OpenAI. Avoid third-party download sites and copycat apps that mimic the name or icon.
Is it free?
The desktop app is free to install and use, and you do not need a paid plan to run it. Paid plans add higher limits and more features. Confirm current pricing on OpenAI's pricing page before subscribing.
Related guides
On Windows instead? See the ChatGPT for Windows guide. On mobile, see ChatGPT on iPhone or ChatGPT on Android. For the full picture, start at our ChatGPT app home guide.
FAQ
Mac desktop questions.
Common questions about the official ChatGPT desktop app for macOS — see the full ChatGPT app FAQ.
Is there an official ChatGPT desktop app for Mac?
Yes. OpenAI offers an official ChatGPT desktop app for macOS, available from the Mac App Store or from openai.com/chatgpt/download. It is free, works with every plan including Free, syncs your chat history and updates automatically. Confirm the developer is OpenAI before installing.
How do I install the ChatGPT app on a Mac?
Open the Mac App Store and confirm the developer is OpenAI, or go to openai.com/chatgpt/download. Click Get or download the app, move it to Applications if needed, then launch it and sign in with your OpenAI account. Verify steps on OpenAI's help center if details have changed.
Is the ChatGPT Mac app free?
Yes, the official ChatGPT desktop app for Mac is free to install and works with every plan, including Free. Paid plans add higher limits and more features, but you do not need a paid plan to use the desktop app. Confirm current plan details on OpenAI's pricing page.
What is the ChatGPT keyboard shortcut on Mac?
On Mac the ChatGPT desktop app uses a global keyboard shortcut, Option+Space, to open a quick chat window from anywhere. This lets you ask a question without leaving your current app. Check current shortcuts in the app settings.
What macOS version do I need for the ChatGPT app?
The Mac desktop app generally requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later and runs on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs as a universal app. Requirements can change between releases, so check the current requirements on the Mac App Store listing or OpenAI's help center.
Should I download the Mac app from the App Store or openai.com?
Both are official. The Mac App Store handles installation and updates through Apple, while openai.com/chatgpt/download offers a direct download. Either way, confirm the source is the Mac App Store or openai.com and that the developer is OpenAI.
Does the ChatGPT Mac app update automatically?
Yes. The official desktop app updates automatically, so you generally do not need to reinstall it to get new features. If you installed from the Mac App Store, keep App Store updates enabled.
What can the ChatGPT desktop app do that the web version cannot?
The desktop app adds a global keyboard shortcut, drag-and-drop file uploads, voice mode and the ability to give ChatGPT screenshot or screen context, on top of syncing your history. The web app at chatgpt.com remains a good no-install option.