Key Points
OpenAI has launched Computer History in the ChatGPT Mac desktop app, rolling out globally now. The feature tracks user activity across apps and websites to personalize future ChatGPT interactions. Access is live for Pro, Business, and Enterprise users, with EEA, UK, and Switzerland to follow. Computer History builds on the Chronicle research preview with reduced token usage and added privacy controls. Users can clear all data, clear specific sessions, or opt in via Settings under Integrations.
OpenAI has launched Computer History in the ChatGPT desktop app for Mac, giving the model access to a user's activity across apps and websites to personalize future conversations.
The rollout began on August 13 and is available globally to Pro, Business, and Enterprise subscribers. Users in the EEA, UK, and Switzerland will gain access in the coming weeks.
OpenAI confirmed the launch in a series of posts on X, describing Computer History as an evolution of the Chronicle research preview. The company said the new version uses fewer tokens and gives users more privacy controls than the earlier preview.
How Computer History Works
Computer History sits inside the ChatGPT Mac desktop app and runs in the background. It observes which apps and websites a user visits, then builds a timeline of that activity. Future ChatGPT sessions can draw on that record, reducing the amount of context a user needs to type in manually.
OpenAI said the timeline view lets users look back on past work and identify frequent tasks. From the timeline or the menu bar, users can clear all history or clear specific time periods. The feature requires an explicit opt-in under Settings and then Integrations. No opt-in means no data collection.
The company positioned Computer History as a tool for building skills from repeated activity, not just recalling past conversations inside ChatGPT itself.
ChatGPT Memory Expands As Europe Rollout Waits
OpenAI has moved quickly to add persistent memory features across its product line in 2026. The Chronicle preview, which Computer History replaces and upgrades, had already introduced the concept of cross-session context for desktop users.
The new version reduces the compute cost of maintaining that context. OpenAI also launched GPT-5.6 Ultrafast mode this week, powered by Cerebras hardware, which generates up to 750 tokens per second for API customers. That announcement came hours before the Computer History rollout, marking a dense product day for the company.
Privacy concerns around persistent memory tools remain active in both the EU and UK markets. OpenAI's decision to delay the EEA, UK, and Switzerland rollout suggests the company is navigating those regulatory requirements before expanding access.
Users looking to disable the feature entirely can choose not to opt in. OpenAI said Integrations settings will make the status of Computer History visible at all times.
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