OpenAI introduces a new ‘Computer History’ feature for ChatGPT on Mac, allowing users to selectively log activity for improved context recall while maintaining privacy controls, signalling a broader shift towards AI-driven productivity tools.
OpenAI has added a new “Computer History” feature to the ChatGPT app for Mac, giving users a searchable record of activity across selected apps and websites. The aim is to help the assistant recover context from earlier work, so users can return to a document, page or task without starting again from scratch. According to reports from Windows Central and 9to5Mac, the function is switched off by default and must be enabled by the user.
The feature is designed to log interactions such as clicks, typing and app switching rather than taking continuous screenshots or recording audio. OpenAI says users can choose which applications and websites are included, pause collection at any time and delete the stored history. Tom’s Guide reported that the function also depends on ChatGPT’s memory features being turned on, so the assistant can use earlier context when answering follow-up questions.
The comparison with Microsoft’s Recall for Windows 11 is hard to avoid. That product drew intense criticism after its initial unveiling, largely because of privacy fears. OpenAI appears to have taken a more cautious approach by making its system opt-in and by narrowing the types of data collected. Even so, security concerns remain, particularly around prompt injection and the handling of locally stored interaction data, according to Windows Central.
The update also fits a broader pattern in OpenAI’s product strategy. The company is pushing ChatGPT beyond a conversational tool and into a more general work assistant that can summarise activity, automate routine steps and preserve context across sessions. Tom’s Hardware and Search Engine Journal also reported that OpenAI is extending this approach into ChatGPT Atlas, its new AI-centred browser for macOS, underlining the company’s effort to make ChatGPT part of everyday computer use rather than a separate chat window.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
