OpenAI has rolled out a new record mode feature for ChatGPT on macOS, allowing paid users to record and transcribe audio directly in the desktop app.
Announced in early June in an update video, ChatGPT’s record mode is a new feature designed to transcribe and analyze audio recordings. This can include meetings, brainstorms, and even voice notes.
OpenAI first made the announcement on X, as spotted by 9to5Mac.
Record mode is only available to paid users — whether Plus, Enterprise, Edu, Team, or Pro workspaces — on GPT-4o using macOS. Interestingly enough, the feature isn’t available for Android or Windows users, yet, nor is it available for ChatGPT on the web.
What it is and who it’s for
Record mode, while new to ChatGPT, is hardly a new concept. There have been plenty of AI-powered transcription tools available for quite some time now.
However, it’s still a convenient feature for those who already use ChatGPT in the workplace or as a Plus member.
Record mode captures both mic and system audio, then generates a transcript and smart summary inside the chat. Summaries created by record mode include timestamps, which are helpful if you need to go back and reference a specific part of the meeting.
OpenAI says that ChatGPT will reference canvases and transcripts from past recordings to provide more helpful responses across conversations.
Currently, the feature is included for all paid users. The record length is capped at 120 minutes per session; after 120 minutes, recordings are stopped and transcribed, and transcriptions are uploaded to a private canvas.
OpenAI points out that the original audio isn’t saved — it’s deleted after the transcription is generated. It also notes that it doesn’t use the recorded audio to train its models.
However, if you’re a Pro or Plus user who has “improve the model for everyone” enabled, OpenAI may review the transcription text and canvases for training purposes. Disabling “improve the model for everyone” will opt you out. Team, Enterprise, and Edu workspaces are all excluded from model training by default.
Enterprise, Edu, and Team workspace owners can also choose to toggle off Record in Settings under the Workspace Controls section.
Important: In many states, it is considered an offense to record a user — or users — without their explicit consent. We’d suggest informing people that you’re recording the conversation, just to err on the side of caution.