OpenAI to Pull Voice Chat from Mac Desktop App in January

OpenAI has announced plans to discontinue the voice conversation feature in its ChatGPT macOS application starting January 15, 2026. This change will affect Mac users who have grown accustomed to speaking with the AI assistant rather than typing their queries. The company has framed this decision as part of a broader strategy to develop more cohesive voice experiences across all platforms.
The removal only impacts the standalone Mac desktop application. Users on other platforms including the web browser version, iOS devices, Android phones, and Windows computers will continue to have full access to voice capabilities. This selective discontinuation has raised questions about why the Mac version specifically is being targeted for this change.
OpenAI has stated that the move will allow the company to concentrate resources on building unified voice experiences. While the announcement doesn’t provide extensive technical details, it suggests that the current Mac implementation may not align with future development plans. Voice interaction is increasingly important as AI companies expand into hardware and deeper system integrations.
For users who depend on voice features for accessibility needs, multitasking, or conducting lengthy conversations without typing, this represents a significant workflow disruption. These individuals will need to transition to using ChatGPT through web browsers or mobile devices to maintain voice functionality. The text-based features of the Mac app will remain fully operational.
Industry observers interpret this as a temporary measure rather than a permanent elimination of voice on Mac. The company is likely restructuring its voice technology infrastructure, and the current Mac app architecture may not be compatible with these plans. Users have until mid-January 2026 to adapt to alternative methods of accessing voice features.