OpenAI has introduced a new Computer History feature for the ChatGPT macOS application, giving the artificial intelligence assistant a new way to understand what users have been working on outside the ChatGPT application.
The feature allows ChatGPT and Codex to reference selected activity from supported applications and websites. This information can provide additional context when users return to a conversation or ask the AI to help continue work they were doing earlier.
According to OpenAI, Computer History is designed to reduce the need for users to repeatedly explain what they were working on. Instead of relying only on information provided inside a conversation, ChatGPT can use relevant activity from the user's selected computer history to provide more contextual responses.
How Computer History Works
Computer History is an optional feature in the ChatGPT macOS application. It is turned off by default, meaning users must choose to activate it before their selected computer activity can be used.
Users have control over which applications and websites contribute information to their Computer History. This allows them to limit the feature to services or applications that they consider useful for their work.
The feature creates a timeline based on interaction events. OpenAI says it does not record screenshots, screen recordings, microphone input or system audio as part of Computer History. Private browsing activity is also not included.
This distinction is important because Computer History is intended to provide context about activity rather than continuously record everything displayed or heard on a Mac.
Users Can Pause or Delete History
OpenAI has included controls that allow users to manage the information collected through Computer History. Users can pause the feature when they do not want additional activity to be recorded.
They can also inspect individual timeline entries and delete specific entries or their entire Computer History. These controls are intended to give users greater visibility and control over what information is available for future AI interactions.
The feature therefore does not operate as an unavoidable background monitoring system. Users have to opt in, and they can subsequently manage or stop the feature through the available controls.
Why OpenAI Introduced the Feature
The main purpose of Computer History is to give ChatGPT more useful context when users return to ongoing work.
For example, a person may work across several applications during the day and later ask ChatGPT to help summarise or continue a task. Instead of explaining every step again, relevant activity from selected applications and websites can provide additional context.
The feature can be particularly useful for people who regularly move between documents, websites, communication tools and other applications while working on projects.
OpenAI has also made Computer History available to Codex, allowing the coding-focused AI system to reference relevant computer activity.
Availability
OpenAI's release information states that Computer History is available for Pro, Business and Enterprise users on macOS. Business and Enterprise users may also require administrator approval before members can activate the feature.
Availability can vary by region. OpenAI's current release information states that the feature is not currently available in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom or Switzerland.
Privacy and User Control
The introduction of Computer History also places attention on privacy because the feature involves using activity from outside the ChatGPT application.
OpenAI says the system records interaction events rather than screenshots or recordings of the user's computer. Users can decide which applications and websites are included, pause the feature and remove timeline information.
These controls are important for people who use their Mac for both professional and personal activities. Users should review the available settings carefully before enabling Computer History and should only include applications or websites whose activity they are comfortable using as AI context.
What This Means for ChatGPT Users
The new feature represents a broader move toward AI assistants that can understand a user's workflow rather than responding only to information explicitly entered into a chat.
Instead of treating every conversation as an isolated interaction, ChatGPT can use relevant computer activity to help users continue tasks with less repetition.
At the same time, Computer History remains an optional feature. Users who do not want ChatGPT to use computer activity as additional context can leave the feature disabled.
The introduction of Computer History is therefore both a productivity update and a significant change in how an AI assistant can interact with information generated outside its own application. OpenAI's emphasis on opt-in access and user controls is intended to give users the ability to decide how the feature fits into their workflow.