OpenAI adds Codex to ChatGPT mobile

OpenAI said on May 14 that it had added Codex to the ChatGPT mobile app on iOS and Android, giving users a way to monitor and manage coding work from a phone. The company said the feature is rolling out in preview across ChatGPT plans, including free tiers in supported regions. Reuters reported the move on Thursday as OpenAI pushes Codex further into day-to-day developer workflows amid a crowded market for AI coding tools. ### What exactly changed inside the ChatGPT app? OpenAI said the mobile app now includes a Codex experience that connects to machines where Codex is already running, including laptops, dedicated Mac minis, devboxes and managed remote environments. The company said users can work across active threads, approvals, plugins and project context from the phone rather than starting over on a separate mobile workflow. (newsbreak.com) The May 14 product post said updates flow back to the phone in real time, including screenshots, terminal output, diffs, test results and approval requests. OpenAI said files, credentials, permissions and local setup remain on the machine where Codex is operating. ### How is OpenAI describing the mobile use case? (openai.com) OpenAI said the mobile version is meant for “monitor, steer, and approve” work while users are away from their computers. The company framed the app as a way to stay connected to longer-running coding tasks instead of using a phone as the primary place where code executes. (openai.com) Reuters reported that the change expands access to Codex as competition intensifies in AI code generation. The report said coding tools have become an important route for AI companies seeking business customers. ### Who gets access in this rollout? Gadgets 360 reported that the preview is available across all ChatGPT plans, including the free tier, and said users who do not see Codex may need to update the app. (openai.com) OpenAI’s own post described the feature as “now in preview” in the ChatGPT mobile app and linked directly to mobile downloads. (newsbreak.com) The Verge and 9to5Mac both described the launch as bringing Codex control from desktop setups into the ChatGPT app on iPhone, iPad and Android. That broad device list matters because OpenAI had previously released Codex beyond the browser and desktop, but not as a phone-based control surface inside ChatGPT itself. (gadgets360.com) ### What can users do from the phone, and what stays on the computer? OpenAI said users can review outputs, approve commands, change models and start new work from the mobile app. The company said the app loads the live state from the connected environment, which means the phone reflects work already in progress rather than hosting the coding environment itself. (theverge.com) The company also said sensitive elements stay on the original machine. OpenAI said credentials, permissions and local setup remain where Codex is running, while the phone receives live updates through the connection. Gadgets 360 described that setup as a secure relay for managing tasks remotely. ### How large is Codex now, and what comes next? (openai.com) Neowin reported that Codex has grown to more than 4 million weekly users over the past few months. OpenAI did not provide a new revenue figure with the mobile launch, but the user number gives a scale marker for why the company is extending the product to phones. (openai.com) Gadgets 360 reported that OpenAI is also adding support to connect the phone to the Codex app on Windows soon. As of May 14, OpenAI’s public post focused on iOS and Android access through the ChatGPT app and described the feature as a preview rollout available now. (gadgets360.com) (neowin.net)