Overview
- OpenAI rolled out an iMessage plugin for ChatGPT Work and Codex on macOS on Friday, August 21, 2026, that can search message history, summarize conversations, draft replies and send iMessages from the desktop.
- Meta published Beta 1.0 of a native Mac app for Meta AI that can take or read screenshots and extract text and image information to feed its assistant.
- Reporters note Apple provides no official Messages database API, so developers likely rely on unofficial methods such as local scripting or community tools to connect ChatGPT to iMessage.
- OpenAI tells Bloomberg the iMessage feature runs locally and does not build a global index of messages, but journalists warn the details about transient server calls and training use remain unclear and merit caution.
- Practically, users must grant wide macOS permissions to enable these tools, so vendors advise against persistent permissions and consumers should review each outgoing message and watch for any policy or regulatory follow-up.