OpenAI guts ChatGPT Desktop features to push Codex and Work subscriptions
Screenshot and 'Work with' tools removed from the Mac app.
OpenAI has overhauled the ChatGPT desktop app for Mac, merging it with its Codex product and removing two popular features. The in-app screenshot tool, which let users instantly drop screenshots into a chat without using a separate program, is gone. So is the 'Work with' feature, which allowed ChatGPT to read the contents of active windows from apps like Notion, Notes, and TextEdit, providing context for prompts. The app now opens as a pop-up window reminiscent of third-party apps, not the full desktop experience.
The changes appear designed to steer users toward OpenAI's higher-priced plans. Codex and the new ChatGPT Work use agentic AI that consumes many tokens, making the free $8/mo Go and $20/mo Plus tiers less viable for heavy use. The $100/mo Pro plan becomes the gateway for these features. Users on lower plans will likely hit throttling quickly. The author notes that the browser version still offers all previous capabilities, making it the better choice for those unwilling to upgrade.
The desktop app's transformation has frustrated power users who relied on the seamless screenshot and context-sharing workflows. While Windows users will face a similar fate soon, the browser remains a stable fallback. The article suggests OpenAI's strategy prioritizes monetization over user experience, alienating long-time users of the desktop app.
- Screenshot capture inside the ChatGPT desktop app has been removed, forcing users to use separate screenshot tools.
- The 'Work with' feature that read app contents (Notion, Notes, TextEdit) for context is gone.
- The app is now a pop-up version of Codex, pushing users toward the $100/mo Pro plan for agentic features.
Why It Matters
Power users lose convenient desktop shortcuts, making the browser the better option unless they pay more.