OpenAI Adds Apple Messages Plug-In to ChatGPT

OpenAI is expanding ChatGPT from a conversational assistant into software that can act across a user’s computer. Its Apple Messages plug-in can search and analyze iMessage, SMS and RCS conversations stored on a Mac, draft replies and send messages. The integration may reduce the manual work of reviewing long threads, but access to personal and workplace communications raises questions about privacy, permissions and the risks of allowing an AI agent to speak for its user.

OpenAI released the plug-in on Aug. 20, 2026, for the ChatGPT macOS desktop app on Apple silicon Macs, with support in ChatGPT Work and Codex. Users must grant Full Disk Access, while message content and recipients require approval before sending by default. OpenAI said the plug-in runs locally, does not build a complete index of a user’s inbox and keeps message content off its servers unless a conversation is deliberately saved to the cloud.