ChatGPT Pro users in the US can now text their AI Dots

A new way to connect

OpenAI has introduced a new way for users to interact with their AI assistants, known as Dots. These assistants were originally designed to work behind the scenes by remembering specific facts and tracking ongoing tasks for the user. While they were previously limited to platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and the main ChatGPT interface, they are now moving into mobile messaging.

As reported by The News International, the company is rolling out a preview that allows users to text their Dots directly. This integration works through iMessage for iPhone users and RCS for Android users via Google Messages. By making the Dot accessible through standard texting apps, OpenAI is attempting to make the AI feel more like a personal contact than a separate application.

This rollout is currently restricted to a specific audience. Only ChatGPT Pro subscribers located in the United States can access this preview at this time. For these users, the goal is to provide a seamless transition between different types of digital environments, allowing the AI to follow the user wherever they go on their mobile devices.

Proactive AI updates

One of the most significant changes with this update is the ability for the Dot to initiate conversations. Previously, most interactions required the user to open an app and type a prompt first. Now, if a user asks their Dot to monitor a specific task, the AI can send a text message with an update without any manual input from the user.

For example, a user can ask their Dot to watch the price of a specific product they intend to purchase. When the price eventually drops, the Dot can send a text message directly to the user's phone. This removes the need for the user to keep the ChatGPT app open or manually check for updates, making the assistant more useful for long-term monitoring.

The system is designed to be persistent across different platforms. Because the Dot remembers earlier conversations and keeps the same connected plugins, a user can start planning a trip in the ChatGPT web interface and continue that exact conversation over text later. The user does not have to repeat information or re-explain the context of their request when switching from a computer to a phone.

Privacy and permissions

Bringing an AI assistant into a primary messaging app naturally raises questions about how much data the system can see. OpenAI has addressed these concerns by clarifying the scope of the permissions granted when a user enables the texting feature. The company claims that the conversation remains strictly between the user and their specific Dot.

According to OpenAI, the process of turning on this feature does not mean the Dot is given access to the user's other text conversations. The AI is intended to function as a dedicated contact rather than a tool that can read through a user's entire message history. This distinction is important for users who want to utilize the proactive features without compromising the privacy of their other personal chats.

Users who want to try this feature must first ensure they have the correct messaging protocols active on their devices. This means having iMessage turned on for iPhone users or ensuring RCS is enabled for those using Google Messages on Android. Once these are set, the user can navigate to their Dot profile in ChatGPT to find the texting toggle.

The role of the Dot

To understand this update, it helps to know what a Dot actually is within the OpenAI ecosystem. Unlike a standard chatbot that might treat every prompt as a new interaction, Dots are designed to be persistent assistants. They are built to keep tabs on things being done and hold onto crucial facts that the user wants them to remember over long periods of time.

By integrating these Dots into text messaging, OpenAI is moving toward a model of 'ambient' assistance. The idea is that the AI should be available in the background of a user's life, ready to provide information or updates whenever they are needed. This is a shift from the traditional 'search and find' model of AI toward a 'notify and remind' model.

For the user, this means the AI becomes a more active participant in their daily workflow. Whether it is tracking a price, remembering a travel itinerary, or providing a status update on a project, the Dot acts as a bridge between the user's intentions and the execution of those tasks. The texting integration is simply the newest bridge for that information to travel across.

What comes next

Because this is currently a preview for a specific group of users, the full scope of the rollout remains to be seen. OpenAI often uses these previews to gather data on how users interact with proactive notifications and to identify any potential technical issues with RCS or iMessage integration. The feedback from these early Pro users will likely determine how the feature is refined before a wider release.

Future updates may see the Dot expanding its capabilities beyond simple notifications. As the technology matures, we may see more complex interactions where the Dot can handle multi-step tasks that require it to communicate with other apps or services. For now, the focus is on making the Dot a reliable, reachable contact that can send updates on the user's behalf.

For those without a Pro subscription or who live outside the United States, the feature is not yet available. However, the move toward messaging integration suggests a broader strategy to make AI more accessible. By moving into the messaging apps people use most frequently, OpenAI is positioning the Dot as a primary hub for personal organization and information tracking.