How to Text Your ChatGPT Dot via iMessage or RCS (Pro Beta): Setup and Availability
Step-by-step setup for texting your ChatGPT dot over iMessage or Android RCS: the U.S. ChatGPT Pro beta from OpenAI's Oct 26-30, 2026 update, eligibility, what works, privacy notes and how it compares with 1-800-ChatGPT.
TL;DR: OpenAI's official name for this is texting your dot. A "dot" is ChatGPT's always-on agent, and texting lets you reach it over iMessage (iPhone) or RCS (Android) in one-to-one chats with text, photos and voice messages. It's a beta for ChatGPT Pro users in the U.S., announced in OpenAI's Oct 26–30, 2026 update. Setup: dot profile > Texting > verify your number > save the contact card > send a message.
What "dots" and texting are
Per OpenAI's Meet dots page, your dot is "an always-on agent that keeps work moving across your tools and projects." It runs in the cloud with its own computer and browser, keeps notes across conversations, and reaches out when a decision needs you. You can already talk to it in the ChatGPT apps, by voice call, in Slack and in Microsoft Teams.
Texting adds one more channel. It's the same dot with the same memory, so changing channels doesn't reset anything. Your dot also picks where to reach you based on context, and you can steer it, for example: "text me when something needs my attention, keep routine updates in ChatGPT."
Eligibility
- Plan: ChatGPT Pro. Texting is "rolling out in beta to ChatGPT Pro users in the U.S." (Message your dot).
- Country: U.S. only for texting.
- Dots access first: Dots themselves are rolling out gradually to Pro 100, Pro 200 and Pro 500 users over 18, outside the EEA, UK and Switzerland. Business Premium and Enterprise are getting dots worldwide (Enterprise is off until an admin enables it), but OpenAI's texting note only names Pro users in the U.S.
- Device: an iPhone with iMessage, or an Android phone with RCS turned on in its messaging app.
- Setup surface: the ChatGPT mobile app, desktop app or a desktop browser. Mobile web isn't supported.
If you don't see dots or the Texting option yet, the rollout hasn't reached your account. OpenAI says you may not see dots right away even if your plan qualifies.
Step-by-step setup
If you don't have a dot yet
- Open dots in the ChatGPT mobile app, desktop app or a desktop browser and follow the intro (Get started).
- Name your dot and pick its look (or keep the defaults).
- Optionally connect plugins such as email, calendar and files. You can skip this.
Turn on texting
- Open your dot's profile in the ChatGPT mobile app, desktop app or desktop browser.
- Select Texting. If you don't see it, select Add to list the contact methods available to you.
- Enter your phone number and complete the verification steps.
- When your dot sends its contact card, save it to your contacts.
- Send your dot a message to start the chat.
Phone-specific checks
- iPhone: send from the same phone number you verified. In Settings > Apps > Messages > Send & Receive, make sure that number (not just your Apple Account email) is selected under "Start New Conversations From."
- Android: open your messaging app's settings (in Google Messages: profile picture > Messages settings > RCS chats) and turn RCS on. Your dot is reachable over RCS, not plain SMS.
What works and what doesn't
| Over texting | Status | Notes from OpenAI's docs |
|---|---|---|
| Text messages | ✅ Supported | One-to-one only |
| Photos | ✅ Supported | Send them into the chat |
| Voice messages | ✅ Supported | Recorded voice notes, not live calls |
| Group chats | ❌ Not supported | "Not currently supported through texting" |
| Phone calls | ❌ Not supported | Call your dot from the ChatGPT app instead |
| FaceTime | ❌ Not supported | Same as above |
| Approvals | ↗ Hand-off | Your dot texts you a link to review the request in ChatGPT |
Things worth knowing:
- Approvals don't happen in the text thread. When your dot needs sign-off on an action, it sends a link and you approve in ChatGPT. Asking it to draft something doesn't give it permission to send it (Control your dot).
- Context carries over. It can use relevant context from ChatGPT, Slack, Teams and your connected plugins.
- Usage: OpenAI says conversations with your dot don't count toward your ChatGPT usage limits; tasks it starts in ChatGPT Work or Codex count toward those products' limits.
- Calls stay in the app. Open your dot's conversation in ChatGPT and tap the phone button. Calls started by your dot are "planned for after launch."
Privacy notes from the official docs
- Only you, only your dot. "Your dot can only text you, and you're the only one who can text your dot."
- No access to your other texts. "Setting up texting doesn't give your dot or OpenAI access to your other text conversations."
- Channels are separate permissions. Connecting a messaging channel doesn't also connect your inbox, apps or computer.
- Sharing checks. Before sharing information from a private conversation with other people, your dot checks that you've allowed it.
- Data controls apply. Your ChatGPT data controls cover eligible conversations with your dot. OpenAI says it doesn't train models directly on the dot's proactive research or private notes.
Caution: it's a beta agent that can act on connected apps, so set custom rules (Settings > Personalization > Custom rules) for anything you want it to ask about first.
Texting your dot vs 1-800-ChatGPT
OpenAI's older phone feature, 1-800-ChatGPT, is a different product: a general chatbot on a phone number, not your personal agent.
| Texting your dot (beta) | 1-800-ChatGPT | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Your personal always-on agent, with memory and connected apps | Experimental general ChatGPT access by phone |
| Account | ChatGPT Pro, U.S., verified phone number | No account needed |
| Channels | iMessage, Android RCS (1:1) | Voice calls to 1-800-242-8478 from U.S./Canadian numbers; WhatsApp messaging (OpenAI's help page says it's available again in the EEA) |
| Limits | Dot chats don't count toward ChatGPT usage limits | 30 free voice minutes per month (U.S./Canada) |
| Can take actions | Yes, with approvals via ChatGPT links | No |
ChatGPT on WhatsApp was shut down worldwide on Jan 15, 2026 after a WhatsApp policy change; OpenAI's help page now says it's back in the EEA.
Troubleshooting
- No Texting option in the profile: you're not in the U.S. Pro beta yet, or dots haven't reached your account. Update the ChatGPT app and check again later.
- Your dot doesn't reply on iPhone: you may be sending from your Apple Account email or a different number. Switch "Start New Conversations From" to the verified number.
- Android messages fail: RCS is off or not connected. Check the RCS status in your messaging app's settings.
- Approval link won't open: sign in to ChatGPT with the same account that owns your dot.
Sources
- OpenAI: Text your dot (Oct 26–30, 2026 update)
- OpenAI: Message your dot: Texting
- OpenAI: Meet dots
- OpenAI: Get started with your dot
- OpenAI: Control your dot
- OpenAI Help Center: 1-800-ChatGPT
- OpenAI: Continuing your ChatGPT experience beyond WhatsApp
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