OpenAI is giving ChatGPT and Codex on Mac a new Computer History feature that can remember activity across selected apps and websites, helping users return to recent work, find documents, and review what they were doing earlier.
The feature replaces the earlier Chronicle research preview, although OpenAI describes Computer History as a rebuilt system rather than a renamed version. Chronicle relied on screenshots, while Computer History records interaction events available through macOS accessibility features, including clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts, and switching between apps.
Don’t miss the best of The Mac Observer
Set us as a preferred source and our Apple reporting ranks higher in your Google Search results and Discover feed — one tap, no account changes.
OpenAI says Computer History remains off by default, so users must choose to enable it and decide which apps and websites can contribute information. ChatGPT Pro users can turn it on directly, while Business and Enterprise users need administrator approval before enabling it inside their workspace.
How ChatGPT Computer History works on Mac
Once enabled, Computer History creates a searchable timeline that ChatGPT and Codex can use as memory. Users can ask what they were working on before a break, locate a recently viewed document, summarize their workday, or identify repeated workflows that ChatGPT can suggest turning into skills or automations.
OpenAI says the feature does not capture screenshots, screen recordings, microphone input, system audio, or private browsing activity. Users can also inspect timeline entries, open individual memory files in Finder, delete specific items, or clear recent activity from Settings.
Interaction events remain temporarily stored on the Mac for up to 48 hours before OpenAI processes them on its servers to create memories. According to OpenAI, those events are not retained after processing and are not used for model training, while the resulting plain-text memory files stay stored locally until the user deletes them.
OpenAI also warns that Computer History can increase prompt-injection risks when malicious content appears inside apps or websites. The company recommends pausing collection during private communications and excluding apps that contain sensitive information.
Computer History is currently available to eligible ChatGPT Pro, Business, and Enterprise users on macOS, although the initial rollout excludes the EEA, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Discussion