OpenAI Launches Computer History Feature for ChatGPT macOS App

OpenAI introduced Computer History on August 14, 2026, as a new feature for the ChatGPT desktop app on macOS. The opt-in tool tracks user interactions—including clicks, typing, and app switches—across supported applications and websites to create a chronological timeline of activity. This feature replaces the previous Chronicle research preview, shifting from screenshot and audio capture to recording specific interaction events.

Users can query the timeline to locate forgotten documents, summarize recent work, or convert repeated actions into automated skills. The tool is available for ChatGPT Pro, Business, and Enterprise users, though the latter two require administrator approval. While the feature is rolling out globally, it is currently unavailable in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and the European Economic Area, with access expected in those regions in the coming weeks.

OpenAI warned that the resulting memory files are not encrypted and could be accessed by other programs running on the Mac, increasing the risk of prompt injection attacks. To mitigate these privacy concerns, users can selectively choose which apps to track, pause data collection, or manually delete their history.