OpenAI Launches Computer History for Mac ChatGPT, Replacing Screenshots with Activity Memory

OpenAI announced on August 13 that it's rolling out an optional feature called Computer History for the Mac ChatGPT desktop app, replacing the earlier Chronicle research preview. This feature uses macOS accessibility tools to record user interactions like clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts, and app switches, turning them into a timeline of activity that ChatGPT and Codex can use. It helps users quickly generate work summaries or find recently viewed files. Unlike Chronicle, which relied on screenshots, Computer History doesn't store images, making it more private: it automatically excludes private browsing, keeps interaction events locally for up to 48 hours, deletes them after generating memories on the server, and keeps text memories until the user manually clears them. The feature is available to ChatGPT Pro, Business, and Enterprise subscribers, with Business and Enterprise admins needing to enable it first. It's not available in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the UK initially.