OpenAI has rolled out a new update for ChatGPT on WhatsApp, allowing users to send photos or voice messages. Here’s a look back at these new features!
In December 2024, OpenAI revealed that WhatsApp users could now send messages to ChatGPT directly on Meta’s messaging app. The American company also announced on February 5th on its X account that new features were available for communicating with the chatbot on WhatsApp.
On WhatsApp, ChatGPT now handles images and voice messages
It’s now possible to send images to ChatGPT on WhatsApp for analysis or insights. Just like on the ChatGPT app or website, you can share photos with the chatbot as easily as with any other contact, making interactions more fluid and natural. The model can interpret images, describe them, and help you solve a problem based on what it sees. However, sending videos isn’t yet supported: if you try to send one, ChatGPT will redirect you to its dedicated app.
📢 1-800-ChatGPT WhatsApp Updates
– You can now upload images when asking a question
– You can talk to ChatGPT using voice messages
– And coming soon, you can link your ChatGPT account (Free, Plus, Pro) for more usage
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) February 5, 2025
Open AI has also added the ability to send voice messages to ChatGPT so you no longer have to type. The chatbot can understand you and respond in writing. However, it isn’t yet able to respond vocally, which would make the exchange even more natural.
More features are expected to be added soon:
- Connect your account: you will soon be able to connect your ChatGPT account to WhatsApp, to find your discussions more easily,
- Call ChatGPT: It should also be possible to call ChatGPT and thus communicate with it using the advanced voice mode. This option is already available in the United States, but users are limited to only 15 minutes per day. However, this restriction will be relaxed, although the allowed call duration has not yet been specified.
3 good reasons to use ChatGPT on WhatsApp
With over 2 billion active users worldwide, WhatsApp seems like the perfect app to integrate ChatGPT into. Artificial intelligence is becoming even more accessible and easy to use. But what are the concrete benefits of using ChatGPT on WhatsApp?
1. Simplified accessibility
You don’t need to install yet another app on your phone. You probably already have WhatsApp on your phone; simply add the ChatGPT contact (+1 (800) 242-8478) to start chatting with them. This saves you time and allows you to streamline your requests.
2. Smoother interaction
You can converse with the chatbot as naturally as with any other contact, making the exchange even more fluid. With the upcoming arrival of advanced voice mode on WhatsApp, generative AI will take its integration into our daily lives a step further, allowing you to call it as you would a friend.
3. A versatile tool at your fingertips
Lacking inspiration for writing a resume, a cover letter, or even a simple text message? The new reflex might be to open WhatsApp and ask ChatGPT for help. You could also send it a photo of your yogurt cake to check if it’s cooked enough, or a voice message to help you prepare for your next presentation.
ChatGPT via WhatsApp: Is it working?
So we tested these new features to see if the quality of the responses is the same as on the ChatGPT app. First, we wanted to talk with ChatGPT to see the quality of its responses to text queries. In this respect, the disappointment is significant. The chatbot uses GPT-4, which is starting to become obsolete compared to newer models such as o1 or GPT-4o.
The tool makes numerous errors in its statements and seems overwhelmed when we try to suggest more complex queries. Another drawback is the chatbot’s database, which is shutting down in September 2021. The assistant is therefore unable to give us the winner of Euro 2024 and thinks that Joe Biden is still the president of the United States.
On the other hand, the tool is quite impressive when we ask it to describe an image, recognize a place or provide a solution to a problem in front of us.
As for voice messages, the experience is already smooth and efficient. It’s possible to send recordings lasting several minutes, which ChatGPT processes accurately and provides tailored responses. While the AI can’t yet analyze emotions in voices, this feature is expected to be introduced with the arrival of the advanced voice mode.
In summary, ChatGPT’s latest features on WhatsApp add real value to the tool, which unfortunately lacks the necessary skills when it comes to recent or complex queries. With the upcoming updates expected on WhatsApp, the tool will have a multitude of options for communicating with it in an ever more fluid and natural way.
