OpenAI is expanding ChatGPT on Mac with a new feature called Computer History, designed to help the assistant remember recent actions and turn everyday computer use into searchable context.
With the feature enabled, users can ask ChatGPT about projects they worked on earlier, revisit files they opened, or identify recurring work patterns. For example, it can help reconstruct what you were doing before a break or point you back to a document you viewed earlier in the day.
How it works
Computer History does not rely on screen captures. Instead, it records selected activity signals such as clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts, and app switching, while also using macOS accessibility context where permitted. OpenAI says the data may be stored as text summaries and local memory files.
The feature is opt-in, and users can decide which apps and websites are included. Private browsing is excluded, and tracking can be paused at any time from the menu bar. Users can also review, delete, or clear stored history through ChatGPT settings.
Access and controls
According to OpenAI, Business and Enterprise users need administrator approval, while individual users must subscribe to ChatGPT Pro. Once enabled, the feature can be fine-tuned with permission settings that allow exclusions or limited tracking for specific apps and sites.
OpenAI notes that the system is built for convenience and productivity, while also giving users direct control over what is remembered. As AI assistants become more context-aware, tools like Computer History could shape a future where digital work is easier to organize, revisit, and automate.
