OpenAI’s ChatGPT comes to WhatsApp to challenge Meta AI
Although it supports only text-only for now, it brings all the intelligence of OpenAI’s GPT-4o-mini model right into Whatsapp.
OpenAI is inching closer to making AI an everyday utility—accessible anytime, anywhere, for everyone.
Its latest move? Bringing ChatGPT to WhatsApp, the world’s most popular messaging platform, with over 2.7 billion users globally. This new integration, part of OpenAI’s 12 Days of OpenAI celebration, marks a major step toward embedding AI into daily conversations.
Starting today, users in the U.S. can text ChatGPT on WhatsApp for free with or without having an account, by adding 1 (800) CHAT-GPT—that’s 1 (800) 242-8478—to their contacts. From brainstorming ideas to answering trivia or planning trips, the AI offers a human-like conversational experience right within the messaging app. The service runs on OpenAI’s GPT-4o-mini model, the same version behind the free ChatGPT app.
OpenAI has also launched a ChatGPT hotline, allowing anyone in the U.S. to call the AI with the same number, even from an old flip phone or without an internet connection. The hotline provides 15 minutes of free voice calls per month, with options to extend if you log into your ChatGPT account. This voice access expands ChatGPT’s reach, particularly for users who may not rely on smartphones or stable data connections.
OpenAI noted that the features emerged from a recent hack week and reflect its goal of integrating AI tools into everyday life in meaningful ways.
This integration is more than just a convenience—it’s a direct challenge to Meta AI, which is already localized on WhatsApp. Meta’s chatbot, introduced earlier this year, is positioned as a built-in assistant, offering localized insights and personalized responses.
Kelechi Edeh
With ChatGPT now entering the same space, competition between the two AI systems is likely to intensify. While Meta AI benefits from deep integration with WhatsApp’s ecosystem, OpenAI brings the established capabilities and versatility of ChatGPT, which many users are already familiar with.
With WhatsApp’s user base expected to exceed 3 billion next year, the battle for dominance in the AI-powered messaging space could reshape how users interact with these tools.
As with any new rollout, there are limits. For now, ChatGPT on WhatsApp is text-only, and the service may experience availability restrictions depending on demand. OpenAI notes that users seeking more advanced features, like voice input or visual capabilities, should use the main ChatGPT app or website.
This announcement follows other exciting reveals during the 12 Days of OpenAI, such as the Sora video generator and expanded search tools for free users. By making ChatGPT accessible on WhatsApp and via phone calls, OpenAI is positioning itself as a major competitor not only to Meta AI but to any platform offering AI-based assistance.
