ChatGPT Can Access iMessage on Mac with Enhanced Permissions

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Key Takeaways

1The Apple Messages plugin allows ChatGPT to read, search, draft, and send iMessages on Mac, after permissions are granted.

2OpenAI claims that processing occurs locally on the Mac, with no storage of messages or routing through its cloud.

3The feature is limited to ChatGPT Work and Codex accounts and is not available on mobile.

💡Why it matters — This integration gives ChatGPT direct access to iMessage from a Mac under permission conditions, in a context of disputes and mistrust regarding data usage by AI actors.

OpenAI has introduced an Apple Messages plugin that allows ChatGPT to interact with iMessage from a Mac, following a series of system permissions. The company assures that processing remains local and that messages are not stored. This feature is only available for professional accounts and adds to other Apple app integrations, as disputes and distrust surrounding data usage in AI continue to mount.

Extended Permissions and Local Processing, According to OpenAI

Installing the plugin involves accessing the ChatGPT plugin menu, selecting Apple Messages, and installing it. A permissions screen indicates that the message history present on the Mac will be accessible via the Apple Messages app. Activation is then done by entering @ followed by the plugin name or through the + menu, similar to other extensions.

To function, the user must modify their privacy settings in macOS System Preferences, specifically enabling full disk access and allowing ChatGPT to view contact names and use automation tools. OpenAI claims that the plugin processes data only locally on the Mac, without storing messages or relying on its cloud servers.

A 32-second video published by OpenAI demonstrates a typical use case: asking ChatGPT to review messages from the previous day to identify potential follow-ups, with an example question from a book club friend. The assistant drafts a response and requests verification before sending.

Limited Availability for Work and Codex Accounts, Mac Only

Dubbed the Apple Messages Plugin, this new feature is currently offered to ChatGPT Work and Codex users exclusively on Mac desktop computers. It is not available on iPhone or iPad. Adding the plugin is optional but requires several authorization steps before activation.

On a Mac connected to the same Apple ID as the iPhone or iPad and properly synchronized, the accessible iMessages are the same. iMessage remains the native messaging service on Apple devices, with the plugin integrating into this existing environment.

Legal Disputes Over Data and Distrust in Tech Leaders

OpenAI is facing multiple lawsuits regarding data usage. A class action filed earlier this year accuses it of sharing private data from ChatGPT clients with Meta and Google. In 2023, the company was also accused of collecting massive amounts of data, including medical records and information about children, to train ChatGPT. The New York Times, Encyclopedia Britannica, and Merriam-Webster have also filed lawsuits, alleging the use of copyrighted content during model training. Ziff Davis also filed a lawsuit in 2025 for alleged copyright infringement.

According to AI Lawsuit Tracker, over 100 complaints related to training data ingestion target major tech companies, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, Anthropic, Amazon, Adobe, Apple, and ByteDance. In Illinois, nine companies—including Apple, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Samsung—are facing allegations of using thousands of hours of human voice recordings without permission for AI systems.

This legal climate is accompanied by marked distrust among young adults. A majority of respondents aged 18 to 34 express skepticism towards tech founders and CEOs, including Alex Karp, Peter Thiel, Dario Amodei, Sundar Pichai, Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, Jensen Huang, Elon Musk, and Satya Nadella.

Partnership Initiated in 2024 and Apple’s Lawsuit in July

OpenAI and Apple began a partnership in June 2024 to integrate ChatGPT into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. The relationship turned contentious in July, with Apple suing OpenAI for alleged theft of trade secrets and misappropriation of intellectual property. OpenAI is portrayed as the company of Sam Altman. This dynamic contrasts with the long-standing image Apple has cultivated regarding privacy protection, and ChatGPT's new ability to interact with iMessage could clash with that.

Messages: Reading, Searching, Drafting, and Sending from ChatGPT

With user consent, ChatGPT can access iMessages, search for messages, catch up on conversations, draft, and send responses, according to OpenAI. This integration adds to other already possible accesses, such as analyzing information from Health apps on iPhone and iPad via ChatGPT Health, or interacting with Mac applications like Xcode, Notes, and Terminal.