ChatGPT, from OpenAI, is an artificial intelligence assistant that holds conversations, writes, summarizes, explains, translates, analyzes files and creates images. You can start for free, with usage limits.
In this article
Where to access it (safely)
- In the browser: chatgpt.com.
- On a PC: the official app for Windows (Microsoft Store) and for Mac.
- On your phone: the ChatGPT app by OpenAI on the Play Store and the App Store.
Getting started
- Create an account with your email or sign in with your Google, Microsoft or Apple account.
- Turn on two-step verification in the security settings. See two-factor authentication.
- Type your request in the message box, in plain everyday language.
- Keep the conversation going to adjust: “shorter”, “as bullet points”, “explain item 2 better”.
What you can do on the free version
- Chat, ask questions and get explanations.
- Write and edit emails, texts and messages.
- Upload files (PDFs, images, spreadsheets) and ask for summaries or analyses.
- Create images from a description.
- Talk by voice in the mobile app.
The free version has a usage limit. When you hit it, ChatGPT switches to a simpler model or asks you to wait. Paid plans raise the limits and unlock the most advanced models; the details change often, so check OpenAI’s pricing page.
Getting better answers
Say what you want, who it’s for and in what format. See the full method in how to write a good AI prompt. An example to start with:
I own a small business and I'm not a tech person.
Explain in simple language what cloud backup is, whether it's worth it for me and the first 3 steps to get started.Privacy: what to know
- In the Data controls settings, you can choose whether your conversations help train the models.
- Use Temporary Chat for conversations you don’t want kept in your history.
- Don’t paste passwords, card details, personal documents or customer data into a personal account. At work, use the business plan. See how to use AI at work safely.
Be careful with the answers
- AI can be confidently wrong: check numbers, laws, dates, prices and health information against official sources.
- Ask for sources when you’re doing research, and open the links.
- Don’t run commands or code you don’t understand.
FAQ
Does ChatGPT work on WhatsApp?
Not anymore. OpenAI did offer ChatGPT through WhatsApp, but the service was discontinued on January 15, 2026, after a change in WhatsApp’s rules. Today, numbers and “bots” on WhatsApp claiming to be ChatGPT are not official: be suspicious, especially if they ask for payment. Use the official app or website.
How is it different from Gemini, Copilot and Claude?
They all do similar tasks; the integrations and style are what change. See which AI to use for each task.
