If Siri isn't giving you the information you need, here's how to ask Apple Intelligence to tap into OpenAI's chatbot using a free or paid account on supported devices.
Siri has been Apple’s virtual assistant for many years; it’s designed to respond to your questions and requests. But Siri can fall down on the job, sometimes failing to properly understand or handle your task. And on its own, Siri is not a generative AI tool, so it can’t tackle the types of requests more advanced AI bots can handle.
Siri’s limitations are why Apple has added OpenAI’s ChatGPT AI to its devices. Available on supported iPhones, iPads, and Macs, ChatGPT integrates directly via Apple Intelligence, popping up to respond to you when Siri is in over its head.
Depending on your device, you’re able to use ChatGPT a few different ways.
You can ask Siri to call on ChatGPT to help with certain types of requests, especially those better suited to generative AI. Use ChatGPT with the AI-powered Writing Tools feature to write and edit text based on your descriptions. On an iPhone, you can use ChatGPT with Visual Intelligence, which taps into the camera to provide info on the places and objects around you.
You don’t need a ChatGPT account to use the AI through Apple Intelligence on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. But if you do have an account, you can simply connect to it through your device. Using an existing account means that you’ll be able to access a history of your requests. Plus, those of you with a paid ChatGPT Plus plan can directly take advantage of the advanced premium features. However, using ChatGPT without an account means that your request will be anonymous and won’t be used for AI training.
You can still use the ChatGPT app and website on your Apple device, but the integration with Apple Intelligence is quicker and easier. The main limitation here is that you need a device that supports Apple Intelligence. That means any iPhone 16, an iPhone 15 Pro, an iPhone 15 Pro Max, any iPad model with an M1 chip or later, a 2024 iPad mini with an A17 Pro chip, or a Mac with an M1 chip or later. Now, how can you use ChatGPT on your Apple device? Let’s check it out.
First, you have to update to iOS 18.2 on your iPhone, iPadOS 18.2 on your iPad, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 on your Mac. On your iPhone or iPad, head to Settings > General > Software Update. On a Mac, go to System Settings > General > Software Update. Select the Update Now button to download the latest version.
Next, you need to enable Apple Intelligence. Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad and System Settings on your Mac. Select the setting for Apple Intelligence & Siri and turn on the switch for Apple Intelligence if it’s not already on.
Now, you want to enable ChatGPT. Swipe or scroll down the Apple Intelligence & Siri screen and select ChatGPT in the Extensions section. Turn on the option for Setup Prompts if it’s turned off. This lets Siri suggest using ChatGPT if you submit a question or request that Siri can’t answer. Then tap or click Set Up next to the option for Use ChatGPT.
The next screen describes the various ways you can use ChatGPT. Click or tap Next. The Privacy and ChatGPT screen explains how the AI integration aims to keep your privacy in mind.
If you don’t have a ChatGPT account or want to use the tool anonymously on your device, click or tap the button for Enable ChatGPT. The next screen confirms that ChatGPT is enabled, that your use of the AI is subject to a daily limit, and that Siri will require confirmation anytime you want to turn to ChatGPT. You may also see an option to open the ChatGPT app or download it if you’ve used it before.
To use an existing ChatGPT account with Apple Intelligence, choose the option for Use ChatGPT with an Account at the Privacy and ChatGPT screen. Next, select the button for Sign In and Enable ChatGPT. Select the Log In option and enter the username and password for your ChatGPT account. The next screen shows that you’re signed in with your account.
Now you’re ready to dive into ChatGPT. You can start by sending Siri a question or request that you don’t think it would be able to handle, like generating specific text for an email, message, or other app. For example, you could say: “Siri, compose a note asking my boss for a 10% raise based on all the projects I completed this past year.” Siri should tell you that it will need to use ChatGPT to write that and ask for your permission. Say Yes, and ChatGPT takes over to compose the content you need.
In some cases, Siri may or may not turn to ChatGPT to take on your request. If you purposely want to use ChatGPT, then tell Siri to use ChatGPT followed by your request. For example, you could say: “Siri, use ChatGPT to name and describe the six wives of Henry VIII.”
You can also carry on a conversation with ChatGPT. Again, ask Siri to use ChatGPT to respond to a request. You’re then able to ask follow-up questions based on ChatGPT’s responses.
Another feature that comes with Apple Intelligence is Writing Tools, through which you can ask for help composing or revising an email, message, or other text. To try this, open an app such as Mail or Messages. Press down on the area where you’d enter text. From the menu, select Writing Tools, select Compose, and then tap the option for Compose with ChatGPT.
Type or dictate a description of the subject of the email or message. ChatGPT then writes it for you. You can review, refine, and rewrite the draft and add further details. When finished, tap Done.
Visual Intelligence is an AI-powered feature that can serve up information on objects seen through your iPhone’s camera. To try this, you’ll need an iPhone 16 with the new physical Camera Control button. Aim your camera at an object that you’d like described. Press down on the Camera Control, and the Visual Intelligence screen appears. Tap Continue and then tap Ask. ChatGPT automatically pops up and provides details about the object your captured.
Finally, you’re able to easily manage the settings for ChatGPT. On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings. On your Mac, go to System Settings. From there, navigate to Apple Intelligence & Siri > ChatGPT. Here, you can turn off ChatGPT, sign in or out of your ChatGPT account, and disable the option for Confirm ChatGPT Requests if you don’t want Siri to ask for your permission each time it wants to pass the ball to ChatGPT.
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I’ve been working for PCMag since early 2016 writing tutorials, how-to pieces, and other articles on consumer technology. Beyond PCMag, I’ve written news stories and tutorials for a variety of other websites and publications, including CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Macworld, PC World, Time, US News & World Report, and AARP Magazine. I spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET as one of the site’s East Coast reporters. I’ve also written two books for Wiley & Sons—Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time and Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.
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