ChatGPT Desktop App Is Out — Mac Only, M1 and Above

ChatGPT shipped a Mac desktop app a while back — I only just noticed, because the Mac App Store hasn't listed it. You can't even find it there… App Store, what can I say.

Step 1: Download the app

Download the macOS build from the official site:

1. Open your browser and visit OpenAI (https://www.openai.com).
2. Find "Download" or "Products" in the navigation.
3. Grab the macOS installer.

ChatGPT desktop download page

Windows users keep waiting. Mac requirements: macOS 14 and Apple Silicon (M1 or newer). As for the features — they're fine… ship first, improve later.

Supported versions for the desktop app

Step 2: Install

1. Find the downloaded installer (usually in Downloads) and double-click.
2. A window prompts you to drag ChatGPT into the Applications folder — do that.
3. Open ChatGPT from Applications.

Step 3: First launch and login

1. Double-click the app and wait for it to load.
2. At the login screen, sign in with your OpenAI account, or register one first.
3. Once in, you're ready to go.

ChatGPT desktop

Step 4: Configure and use

Common settings after login: 1. Language: choose the interface and conversation language in Settings. 2. Theme: light or dark. 3. Features: toggle auto-saving conversations, voice input, and so on. Then put it to work — writing, Q&A, code generation, it handles all of it well.

Signing in to ChatGPT desktop

Good tool.

FAQ

1. The app won't open — what now?

macOS security settings may be blocking apps from unidentified sources:

1. Open System Preferences.
2. Go to Security & Privacy.
3. Under General, click Allow for the OpenAI download.

Allowing ChatGPT desktop to run

2. How do I update the app?

Check for updates in the app's settings — new versions download and install automatically.

Using ChatGPT desktop