Texting your dot: who can use it and how it works

Texting is the most convenient way to reach your dot, and the most restricted one. It is a limited beta with narrow eligibility, and it runs through a provider outside OpenAI. This page covers who can use it, how setup works, how to stop it, and what your options are if texting isn’t available to you.

What OpenAI says

The launch announcement, published the same day, described the channels as “Slack and Teams, with texting coming soon.” The help center describes texting as a limited beta. Both are current OpenAI sources, so read texting as an early, partial rollout rather than a standard feature.

Who can text a dot

Going by the help center, you need all of the following:

1. A Pro plan. Business and Enterprise workspaces are excluded from the texting beta, even though they can have dots.
2. US eligibility. OpenAI says the beta is limited to Pro users “in the US.”
3. Beta access on your account. Access is limited and “may not be available to every Pro user.” Meeting the first two conditions does not guarantee it.
4. A dot that already exists. Dots are created in the ChatGPT desktop app or on desktop web. See creating your dot.

If you don’t see a dot at all, start with dots not showing before looking for the texting option.

How to set up texting

OpenAI’s help center says to “use desktop to connect messaging channels, such as Slack or texting,” and that texting is set up from the ChatGPT desktop app by connecting your phone. It does not publish a step-by-step path beyond that.

1. Open the ChatGPT desktop app. The desktop app is also available on Windows.
2. Find the option to connect your phone for your dot. OpenAI has not published the exact menu location.
3. Keep the costs in mind. OpenAI notes that message and data rates may apply.

How to stop texts

OpenAI’s instruction is short: reply STOP to stop outgoing texts. The help center doesn’t say what else STOP changes.

Texting vs other channels

The table uses only what OpenAI has published. Where a detail isn’t documented, we say so.

Channel	Who can use it	Where you set it up	Notes
ChatGPT app (desktop, web, mobile)	Anyone with a dot	Create your dot on desktop app or desktop web; then message it on mobile “when mobile access is available”	You cannot create a dot on mobile; dots are not supported on mobile web. The announcement says you can also call your dot in ChatGPT.
Slack	Not documented	Desktop	The help center lists Slack as supported and set up from desktop.
Microsoft Teams	Not documented	Not documented	Named in the announcement. The help center does not cover Teams setup.
Text messages	Pro users in the US, limited beta; not in Business or Enterprise workspaces	ChatGPT desktop app, by connecting your phone	Third-party provider. Reply STOP to stop outgoing texts. Message and data rates may apply.

OpenAI also says “dots carry context across every channel.” At launch, your dot “cannot initiate calls to you.”

What to keep out of texts

If texting isn’t available to you

Many people with a dot aren’t eligible for texting: Business and Enterprise workspaces are excluded, and not every US Pro user has access. The documented alternatives are the ChatGPT mobile app for messaging on the go, and Slack, set up from desktop, if you work there. Check availability for plan and region details, and connected apps for Slack and other plugins.