If you have always wanted to access ChatGPT at the press of a button on your iPhone, like Siri, you can do so now with this trick. Owners of the iPhone 15 Pro series and newer models now have a cool new way to access OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot, thanks to a customisable integration that allows the Action button to launch ChatGPT’s voice mode instantly.
It is now longer unknown that Apple’s Siri chatbot is one of the least capable voice assistants on offer today and Apple forcing its customers to rely on Siri only makes it tricky for iPhone users. While Apple and Google have forged a deal to use Gemini for making Siri’s AI tricks better, the fruition of that agreement is yet to happen. ChatGPT, on the other hand, is smarter, more versatile and keeps getting smarter at a rapid pace.
Hence, it only makes sense for you to replace Siri with ChatGPT, which isn’t possible in iOS. However, thanks to the Action Button on some newer iPhone models, you can have a shortcut to the ChatGPT interface right from your lockscreen.
ChatGPT on iPhone: How to get instant, hands-free AI access
The key to the integration lies in the flexibility of the Action button, which can be configured to run shortcuts. A recent update to the ChatGPT app on iOS allows users to assign a direct shortcut that bypasses menus and immediately launches the AI’s voice conversation interface. A long press on the Action button now initiates a real-time spoken dialogue with ChatGPT.
This instant access is meant to help users who find ChatGPT’s conversational capabilities superior to Siri’s for complex queries, information retrieval, and brainstorming.
ChatGPT on Action Button: How to setup
Setting up the ChatGPT voice launcher is a straightforward process requiring only a few steps:
1. Ensure the latest ChatGPT app is installed and logged in.
2. Navigate to the Action Button settings in the iPhone’s Settings menu.
3. Scroll to the Controls section and select the option to choose a shortcut.
4. Search for and select “Open ChatGPT Voice.”
Once configured, the Action button will launch the voice interface. The first time it is used, the app will request microphone permissions.
OpenAI’s update adds more features for iPhone users
Voice chats now unfold within the same window as text conversations, unifying the visual layout and making the transition between typing and speaking feel more natural.
Furthermore, ongoing voice conversations are supported by the Dynamic Island. Users can leave the ChatGPT app mid-conversation, for example, to check another app, and the session will continue to run in the Dynamic Island, indicating when the assistant is listening or preparing a response.
Note that this update does not allow the AI to control fundamental iOS system functions such as setting alarms, opening native apps, or accessing the user’s calendar, capabilities that remain exclusive to Siri.
