OpenAI has introduced a new Computer History feature for ChatGPT on Mac, designed to help the AI remember what users have been doing across different apps and websites. The feature began rolling out on August 13, 2026, for ChatGPT Pro, Business, and Enterprise users.

The idea is simple: instead of users having to explain everything again, ChatGPT can look back at recent computer activity and use that context to provide more useful answers. It can create a searchable timeline of activities and help users find documents, understand what they worked on earlier, or summarize their recent tasks.

Unlike Microsoft’s Recall feature, Computer History does not take screenshots or record audio. Instead, it records interaction events such as clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts and app switches from selected apps and websites. Users can also choose which apps and websites are included, pause the feature, or delete recorded history.

The feature could also make ChatGPT more useful for repetitive work. When it notices patterns in how someone works, it can suggest turning those workflows into reusable skills or automations through Codex.

However, the new feature is also raising privacy questions. The locally stored memory files are reportedly kept as plain-text files rather than being encrypted, and OpenAI warns about potential risks such as malicious instructions embedded in websites.

For now, Computer History is opt-in and off by default. It is also not yet available in the European Economic Area, Switzerland or the UK, where OpenAI says access will come later.

Overall, the launch marks another step toward ChatGPT becoming an AI assistant that not only answers questions but also understands a user's ongoing work. The big question will be whether users find that convenience worth the additional privacy considerations.