OpenAI has taken a significant leap in enhancing user experience by integrating well-known digital tools—like Adobe Photoshop, Spotify, Canva, and Zillow—into ChatGPT as apps. This revolutionary update came two months after they unveiled a beta feature alongside a development kit, allowing developers to submit their applications.
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On December 17, OpenAI announced an exciting opportunity for developers to submit their applications, leading to a swift rollout. Just a day later, users began spotting apps in the desktop version of ChatGPT, which boasts a staggering more than 800 million active users. However, the mobile version has yet to adopt this feature, with CNET reporting that it wasn’t yet available on iOS during their testing.
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How to Use Apps in ChatGPT
Utilizing these newly integrated apps is straightforward. At launch, they are categorized into three primary sections: “Featured,” “Lifestyle,” and “Productivity.” This setup will feel familiar to anyone accustomed to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
If users cannot find an app in the listed categories, they can employ the search functionality to locate specific applications directly. Each app features screenshots and prompt examples that elucidate how to best leverage the tools within the chatbot environment. For instance, a user can prompt Canva by typing “@canva create a 2025 wrap presentation for my class.”
Instead of traditional app downloads, users will simply click a “Connect” button, granting ChatGPT access to the app’s functionalities. Interacting with the app is seamless; it requires only the use of an @ prompt to activate its features. This innovative approach streamlines the user experience, making it quick and efficient to access various functionalities.
Interestingly, if users forget which apps they have connected, they cannot simply ask ChatGPT for the list. Instead, they must navigate to the settings options: either “Connected Apps” or “Data Controls,” depending on the version of ChatGPT they are using.