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ChatGPT's Mac Plugin Can Analyze iMessages, ZDNet Finds

OpenAI's new ChatGPT plugin for Mac connects to iMessages, letting users send, search, and analyze texts. A ZDNet reporter found the analysis feature surprisingly useful.

AI News Feed · 2026-08-22 07:00

The plugin, available only on the Mac, lets users ask ChatGPT to send a message on their behalf, though the report notes that this is not a big deal since one can simply use the Messages app. Users can also ask the AI to find and summarize specific texts based on name, topic, and other criteria. The most interesting capability, however, is asking ChatGPT to analyze messages, either in general or with a specific person, and receive suggestions on how to communicate more effectively.

To enable the plugin, users need to update ChatGPT to the latest version on their Mac. From the ChatGPT menu, they select "Check for Update" and install the latest version. Then, they click their account name, open Settings, go to Integrations and select Plugins. Browsing the directory, they can search for "Messages" and install the Apple Messages plugin. After granting the necessary permissions, ChatGPT can read and access text messages, which carries privacy implications.

In a test of sending a message, the reporter asked ChatGPT to send a text to a person using @Messages. ChatGPT requires user confirmation before sending, and the reporter found this feature unsurprising.

For message search, the reporter asked ChatGPT to find and summarize all text messages mentioning his cat, Mr. Giggles. The AI revealed the main topics of various exchanges and highlighted key results from the vet over the years, along with other valuable information.

For the analysis feature, the reporter sent a message to a test account complaining that the person kept canceling dinner plans. ChatGPT analyzed that the message as written could invite defensiveness, and suggested a better phrasing to elicit a more productive response. The reporter found this suggestion illuminating and helpful.

The report also discloses that Ziff Davis, ZDNET's parent company, filed an April 2025 lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging copyright infringement in training and operating its AI systems.