OpenAI Scraps Voice Chat for Mac ChatGPT Application

Mac users who depend on ChatGPT’s voice capabilities should prepare for a significant change. Starting January 15, 2026, the voice conversation feature will no longer be available in the macOS desktop application. OpenAI has stated that this move is intended to help the company concentrate on developing more cohesive voice experiences.
This change exclusively affects the Mac desktop app. Voice functionality will remain fully operational on the ChatGPT website, which can be accessed through any browser, as well as on mobile devices running iOS and Android. Windows desktop users will also keep their voice access. Only the Mac version is being modified in this way.
The reasoning behind singling out the Mac platform has not been thoroughly explained. OpenAI’s statement about unified experiences indicates that the current Mac implementation may have technical limitations that don’t align with the company’s future roadmap. Voice technology is becoming increasingly central to AI interactions, especially with new hardware developments on the horizon.
For users who have incorporated voice commands into their daily Mac routines, this represents a notable inconvenience. Those utilizing voice for accessibility needs, people who work more efficiently with hands-free operation, or users who engage in long conversations with the AI will need to find workarounds. Switching to web or mobile platforms is possible but may disrupt established workflows.
Most technology analysts view this as a strategic pause during a rebuilding phase. Given OpenAI’s clear commitment to voice technology in other areas, permanently removing voice from Mac seems unlikely. The company is probably restructuring its voice architecture, and Mac users can expect an enhanced version to arrive once the technical foundation is ready.