OpenAI Integrates Codex into ChatGPT on Mobile, Challenging Anthropic

OpenAI Integrates Codex into ChatGPT on Mobile

On May 14, 2026, OpenAI announced the integration of Codex into the ChatGPT app on iOS and Android platforms. This new feature allows developers to manage various tasks directly from their smartphones, including overseeing ongoing projects, switching models, approving orders, and initiating new missions.

An Accessible Integration for All

Starting this Thursday, users can connect to any machine where Codex is active via the ChatGPT app and access this environment in real-time. OpenAI specifies that this feature is not limited to managing existing tasks but also allows users to view results, approve orders, switch models, or start new initiatives. Files, credentials, permissions, and configurations remain on the machine where Codex operates, while updates are synchronized in real-time on the smartphone.

This integration was highly anticipated, especially as the tasks assigned to Codex are becoming increasingly lengthy and complex. It is now possible to ask Codex, from a smartphone, to investigate a bug, inspect files, run tests, or manage a time-consuming refactoring. OpenAI emphasizes that users can track the progress of work in real-time through screenshots or terminal logs and review final changes before returning to their desks.

Security and Accessibility

In terms of security, OpenAI assures that the integration relies on a "secure relay layer" that keeps trusted machines accessible from all devices without exposing them directly to the Internet. It also synchronizes the session state and context across all devices connected to the ChatGPT account.

Codex is available in preview on the iOS and Android versions of ChatGPT. The update is being rolled out to all users, including those using the free version. To benefit from it, users need to download the latest versions of the ChatGPT and Codex apps on macOS, with Windows compatibility planned for later.

Codex Facing Competition

This integration comes just weeks after a major update to Codex, which introduced features such as computer use on macOS, image generation, and persistent memory, along with over 90 new plugins. Codex, launched nearly a year ago, is used by more than 4 million developers each week.

However, OpenAI faces fierce competition, particularly from Anthropic and its tool Claude Code. In February, Anthropic had already launched Remote Control to operate its tool from a mobile device, followed by Channels in March, allowing developers to send requests via Discord or Telegram.

According to a study by Ramp reported by TechCrunch, Anthropic has more professional clients than OpenAI, with 34.4% of the 50,000 surveyed companies using its paid services, compared to 32.3% for OpenAI. Anthropic, which is experiencing rapid growth, expects to achieve an annualized revenue higher than its rival.