ChatGPT Voice Feature Will Be Removed From Mac App

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If speaking to ChatGPT on your Mac has become second nature, brace yourself for an upcoming change that might disrupt your routine. OpenAI has announced that the Voice feature in the ChatGPT macOS desktop app will be discontinued on January 15, 2026. After this date, using Voice through the Mac app will no longer be an option.

For those who rely on Voice for daily interactions with ChatGPT, this small update note carries significant consequences.

The Announcement Appeared Discreetly In A Mac App Update

OpenAI included a clear message in the release notes for the ChatGPT Mac app, stating:

• Voice on the macOS desktop app will be phased out, effective January 15, 2026.
• OpenAI’s reason for this change is to focus on “more unified and improved voice experiences” across its applications.
• No other functionalities of ChatGPT on macOS will be affected.

To clarify, this is not about shutting down the entire Mac app or altering ChatGPT as a whole. It is specifically the end of the Voice feature in the native macOS app.

What Changes On January 15, 2026

It is crucial to understand that this is not an abrupt shutdown. It is a planned phase-out.

Once that date arrives:

• Voice will no longer function within the ChatGPT Mac app.
• Users relying on the Mac app for spoken interactions will need to move to another supported platform.

OpenAI also stresses that this change does not signal the decline of the Mac app itself. Other macOS features will remain untouched, meaning text-based chats and the core app experience will continue as usual.

Where ChatGPT Voice Will Continue To Work

Although Voice is leaving the Mac app, OpenAI confirms the feature is staying active elsewhere. Voice will continue to be available on:

• Chatgpt.com through a web browser
• iOS
• Android
• The Windows app

If you prefer speaking instead of typing, or enjoy conversational voice responses, you can still do that. You will just need to use one of these supported platforms instead of the macOS desktop app.

Why OpenAI Is Removing Voice From The Mac App

OpenAI says the decision is driven by a desire for consistency. The company wants to build more unified and improved voice experiences across all its apps.

While OpenAI has not shared technical details or confirmed whether Voice could return to the Mac app in the future, the wording suggests this is more of a restructuring than a rejection of voice interaction. Voice features work best when they feel familiar and reliable across devices, and that level of consistency often requires changes behind the scenes.

Also read: New ChatGPT for Mac Update Adds Game-Changing Record Mode and Cloud Drive Access

What Mac Users Should Do Now

If Voice plays a role in how you use ChatGPT on a Mac, some preparation can help avoid frustration later:

• Mark January 15, 2026, as the cutoff date for Voice in the Mac app.
• Try using Voice on chatgpt.com ahead of time so the transition feels natural.
• If you use Voice across devices, make sure you are comfortable with it on iOS or Android, where support will continue.

While removing a single feature from one app may sound minor, it can feel disruptive when it affects established habits. Still, OpenAI is keeping Voice available in several other places and frames this move as part of a broader effort to improve the overall voice experience rather than eliminate it.

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