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8 Ways To Get ChatGPT On A Mac

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ChatGPT has set the internet on fire with its incredible Artificial Intelligence and here we show you some different ways to use ChatGPT on a Mac.

ChatGPT is a deep learning AI chatbot that can generate text on just about anything incredibly accurately.

The possibilities are endless with ChatGPT and there’s no doubt that it is a next level technology that goes beyond anything that Siri, Alexa or other “virtual assistants” are capable of.

However, there’s no official ChatGPT application on any platform yet, so here we look at ways you can use ChatGPT on a Mac for free and integrate it more closely with macOS including the latest Apple Silicon Macs.

All of these ways of installing ChatGPT on a Mac also work on the latest versions of macOS including Sonoma.

Is ChatGPT Free To Use?

At the moment, ChatGPT is free to use on all platforms but the developer OpenAI has now introduced a ChatGPT Plus for $20 per month.

ChatGPT Plus offers faster response times, better access during peak times and first access to new features.

Does ChatGPT Work On Mac?

ChatGPT works on any platform including Macs as it’s entirely web based but there are also ways to integrate it into macOS.

Windows users can save ChatGPT as a Windows app using the Edge browser but this isn’t possible on a Mac unless you have already installed Windows on your Mac.

Microsoft has also recently released Bing, Edge and Skype AI apps for iPhone and iPad which is based on BingAI but nothing for Mac.

Apple doesn’t have a chatbot like ChatGPT either and there is no official ChatGPT app for Mac to download but here are the best ways to access ChatGPT on a Mac.

1. macGPT

 macgpt application

You can access ChatGPT from your Mac’s Menu Bar thanks to a free third party app called macGPT.

macGPT allows you to start new conversations on your Mac desktop and also resume ones that you have already started. You can also access macGPT from the Main Menu via the brain icon even when apps are in full screen mode.

To use ChatGPT with macGPT follow these instructions.

  • Sign-up for an OpenAI ChatGPT account. You’ll need to enter your name, email address and telephone number to verify your account.
  • Download menuGPT and drag it to your Applications folder.
  • Double click on it and login with your OpenAI credentials.

You can then use ChatGPT via macGPT from your Mac’s Menu bar. You can also change the settings so that macGPT is always on top floating over other windows.

menugpt chat settings

You can download macGPT for free although the developer encourages a small donation.

If you find that macGPT is not working when you enter a request, then it’s probably because ChatGPT is at capacity.

Note that this is not a problem with macGPT but is due to high demand on ChatGPT.

2. Create a ChatGPT Dock Shortcut in Safari

safari web apps chatgpt
Safari’s web app view. Source: Apple

If you’ve already updated your Mac to macOS Sonoma, then you can easily create a desktop Dock shortcut to access ChatGPT on your Mac anytime.

This has been possible on iOS devices like iPhones and iPads for some time but is also now possible in the latest version of Safari in macOS Sonoma.

In fact, you can do this for any website you use in Safari.

To create a ChatGPT app shortcut in the Dock using Safari in macOS Sonoma, follow these instructions.

  • Visit ChatGPT in Safari. You don’t have to log into your account or anything to create the Dock app for it.
  • Go to File in the top right of Safari.
  • Click on the Add To Dock option.
  • Click on Add.

You’ve then instantly created a ChatGPT app for Mac that sits in your Dock like any other application.

The latest version of Safari also has a “web app” view mode which is like a simplified version of the browser which may be better for using ChatGPT when you click on the app in the Dock.

3. ChatGPT For Desktop

chatgpt for mac desktop

ChatGPT For Desktop is similar to macGPT and allows you to access ChatGPT from your Mac’s Menu Bar.

Once installed, you can either click on the ChatGPT For Desktop logo in the Menu Bar or use CMD + Shift + G to quickly open it from anywhere.

Note that there are two different downloads for ChatGPT For Desktop: one for Intel Macs and one for Apple Silicon ARM M1, M2 and M3 Macs.

You can download ChatGPT For Desktop here and watch how to install it below.

4. ChatGPT Web

The quickest and easiest way to use ChatGPT on a Mac is simply to use the ChatGPT website in any browser such as Safari, Firefox or Chrome.

Once you’ve signed-up, you can ask ChatGPT anything and wait for a response.

If you sign-up with a Google or Microsoft account you only need to provide your email address to verify your account.

If you just sign-up with an email address, you’ll also need to provide your mobile number to verify your account.

You can then bookmark ChatGPT in your browser for easy access anytime you need it.

You can sign-up for ChatGPT here.

chatgpt in mac browser

5. HelloAI

HelloAI app

HelloAI is an AI Chatbot Assistant that allows you to use ChatGPT on your Mac desktop.

HelloAI requires you to have a ChatGPT account and helps you get answers to quick questions instantly via ChatGPT on your Mac desktop.

HelloAI sits in the top right corner of your screen and also includes a useful Prompt Library that saves your favorite and frequently used prompts.

There’s also a Prompt Store which provides hundreds of prompts for various topics ranging from business and education to travel and entertainment.

This could be useful for Marketing Professionals looking for brainstorming inspiration, Business Executives needing to communicate clearly with a team and generate meeting agendas and students that need to simplify research.

However, HelloAI also requires a $2.99 weekly or $9.99 monthly plan on top of your ChatGPT subscription if you have one.

You download HelloAI from the Mac App store.

6. Configure a Shortcut

You can also integrate ChatGPT in other apps such as Gmail, Microsoft Office and more by creating a Shortcut although this is the most complicated way of setting-up ChatGPT on a Mac.

Creating a shortcut on your Mac basically allows you to access ChatGPT from any application although it won’t work in all cases.

To setup a shortcut to use ChatGPT you need to:

  • Sign-up for an OpenAI account.
  • Get an OpenAI API key which allows ChatGPT to communicate with Siri.
  • Click on “Create Secret New Key” and keep the API key safe somewhere.

You then need to create a Shortcut on your Mac instructions for which you can find below.

7. Integrate ChatGPT With Python

If you’re a programmer using Python, you can also integrate ChatGPT with Python on a Mac.

Python can access ChatGPT via the OpenAI API client similar to the other methods of integrating ChatGPT that we’ve already looked at.

Of course, it’s only useful for programmers although you may find that other coding platforms can also access the OpenAI API client on a Mac too.

To use ChatGPT With Python, follow the instructions below.

8. ChatTab

chattab mac

If you want a convenient way to use ChatGPT on your Mac then try ChatTab.

ChatTab downloads onto your Mac desktop and works in a tab layout format a bit like using a browser. You’ll of course need an OpenAI account and OpenAI key to link ChatTab to ChatGPT.

You can display a floating windows above any app and it’s ideal for Markdown with headings, codes, ordered lists etc.

ChatTab also does not store any of your private information, chats or log your activity either.

You can even use ChatTab for free but you will be limited to one single tab.

You can download ChatTab for Mac free and try it for yourself.

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