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How to use ChatGPT voice mode

ChatGPT Voice lets you talk instead of type and hear the answer spoken back. Here's how to start it on a phone or the web, which voice option to pick, how long you can talk on your plan, and what happens to the recordings.

Updated 30 October 2026

Steps checked against OpenAI's help pages on 30 October 2026. Voice changes often, so icons and option names are accurate as of October 2026.

Start Voice on your phone

1. Open the ChatGPT app on iOS or Android and select the Voice icon in the message bar.
2. If asked, allow the app to use your microphone.
3. The first time, pick a voice you like.
4. Start talking. Tap the microphone control to mute or unmute, and the exit control to end the call.

On supported app versions you can turn on Start with Voice under Settings → Voice, so opening a new, empty chat starts Voice straight away. ChatGPT also works in Apple CarPlay on supported iPhones; set it up before you drive.

Start Voice on the web or desktop

1. Go to chatgpt.com.
2. Select the Voice icon in the prompt window.
3. Allow your browser to use the microphone if it asks.
4. Speak. Mute and end the call with the same controls as on mobile.

The ChatGPT desktop app on macOS and Windows has its own Voice experience aimed at starting tasks and checking on agents, with separate pricing and limits.

Live, Advanced or Standard?

Under Settings → Voice you may be able to choose between three options. Which ones you see depends on your plan, workspace, region, app version and parental controls.

While Live is running you can still type a message or use the add button to attach an image, and it answers by voice in the same chat. In Advanced on mobile, the camera button shares live video, and ••• → Share Screen shares your screen.

Change the voice or language

• Voice: open Settings → Voice, then Voice. There are nine standard voices, such as Arbor, Juniper and Vale, plus extra language-specific voices for Live. Switching voice mid-call starts a new call in the same chat.
• Language: if ChatGPT mishears your language, go to Settings → Voice → Language and pick the one you speak most. You can also just ask it to switch languages while talking.
• Style: ask it to be slower, faster or more casual. There's no exact playback-speed control, and preset personalities don't apply to Live.

Transcripts in the chat

Voice happens inside a normal chat, so you can follow the reply as text and scroll back through earlier messages. When the call ends, a transcript is added to the conversation. It isn't word for word, so check anything important. If you need exact text, use dictation instead and edit it before sending.

Usage limits by plan

For Voice in Chat, Live time is counted over a rolling 24 hours, and ChatGPT tells you when you hit the limit.

Enterprise and Edu are billed per minute or have their own allowances. See our guide on what to do when you hit a ChatGPT limit.

Good to know: your recordings

• Audio from Live and Advanced calls (and video from Advanced) is stored with the chat's transcript for 30 days. Deleting the chat deletes the clips within 30 days; archiving does not.
• With Standard, audio is deleted once it's been transcribed.
• Clips aren't used for training unless you turn on Include your audio recordings or Include your video recordings under Settings → Data Controls. Transcripts may be used if Improve the model for everyone is on.

If it doesn't work

• No Voice icon or it won't start: check that the app or browser has microphone permission, and update the app. Availability also depends on plan, region and workspace settings.
• It keeps interrupting you: use headphones or find a quieter spot. On iPhone, open Control Center during the call, choose Mic Mode and turn on Voice Isolation. You can also say "wait until I ask you to respond".
• Wrong dates or times: Voice uses your device's time zone. Check it, or say the exact date and place.
• Camera or screen share missing: switch to Advanced in the mobile app; Live doesn't support them.

Sources

• ChatGPT Voice (OpenAI Help Center, checked 30 October 2026)

Frequently asked questions