We love WhatsApp and it has gotten even better with the addition of ChatGPT. As a method of keeping in touch with loved ones and sharing information in group messages, WhatsApp is second to none, and now the UK's favorite messaging app even lets you chat with OpenAI's chatbot directly from the app.
As part of the '12 Days of OpenAI', OpenAI launched ChatGPT messaging from WhatsApp, giving you a new way to interact with AI without needing to leave your messaging app. This new update means you can chat with ChatGPT as easily as you would with any other contact on your phone: you can ask him for help with cooking, your kids' homework, or even Christmas shopping.
You don't even need to have the ChatGPT app installed on your mobile phone, log in or even have a subscription. It's all very simple and easy to use, but there is a problem for UK users and here's how to avoid it.
How to send messages to ChatGPT using WhatsApp in the UK
The service is currently only available in the US, however, that doesn't stop you from being able to use it from the UK or anywhere else in the world where you can use WhatsApp. Since all messages with WhatsApp are free, even to other countries, this won't cost you anything. Here's how to set it up:
The first step is to tap the green + button at the top right of the screen (these are iPhone screenshots, the app may be slightly different on other platforms). Next, tap New Contact.
2. Switch to US
In the country list, change the list from United Kingdom to United States. Now enter 1800 followed by the numbers corresponding to the letters CHATGPT, which are 2428478. Give your new AI contact the name “ChatGPT,” so you can easily find him or her later.
3. Start chatting
Now you can start chatting with “ChatGPT” like you would with any other contact on WhatsApp. You'll find it's a convenient way to talk to ChatGPT and it might lead you to use the AI chatbot in new and unexpected ways.
Calls from WhatsApp
Just as a final note, while you can message ChatGPT from WhatsApp in the UK, you can't call it. If you're in the US and have a US phone number, you can talk to ChatGPT for 15 minutes per month; however, this feature does not currently work in the UK.