You can now text ChatGPT's "dot" helper from your Messages app

OpenAI has made its ChatGPT dot helper available by text message. If you use an iPhone or a phone that supports RCS, you can now message your dot from the Messages app. Until now, you needed the main ChatGPT app on mobile, desktop or the web to talk to it.

What dot is

Dot is a ChatGPT helper that can reach out to you without being asked first. OpenAI describes it as a proactive agent, meaning it can send you updates on its own. You can give it a task to take off your plate, or something to keep an eye on.

What changed

You can now send your dot text, photos or voice notes in a normal message thread. It will text you back with relevant updates. The messages travel over iMessage or RCS, which is the newer texting standard used on many Android phones.

• Send text, photos or voice notes to hand off a task
• Ask it to watch something and report back
• Get updates as texts, even when you did not ask first

How to turn it on

Open the ChatGPT app, tap your dot's profile and choose Texting. OpenAI says your dot has the same context and plugins wherever you reach it, so texting it should not start you over from scratch.

What about privacy

OpenAI says texting your dot does not give the dot or OpenAI access to your other text conversations. Only the messages you send to your dot are part of the exchange. That is a useful line to know if you worry about an AI tool reading everything on your phone.

What is not clear yet

The report from 9to5Mac says this could bring dot to the Apple Watch in an official way, but the writer notes it still needs testing. It may also open new ways to use voice beyond dot's built-in calling feature. The material does not say what dot costs, which plans include it, or when every user will see the Texting option.