Computer History for macOS
Mainly relevant to Pro, Business or Enterprise Mac users - turning this on lets ChatGPT pick up what you were working on across apps and websites so you do not have to re-explain context. It is opt-in, since it tracks activity, so worth understanding before enabling it for a team.
What changed
Source summary
An optional macOS feature, off by default and limited to Pro, Business and Enterprise plans, lets ChatGPT and Codex reference a record of selected app and website activity on the user machine, so it can pick up context without the user re-explaining what they were doing.
Why it matters to your work
Practical interpretation
Mainly relevant to Pro, Business or Enterprise Mac users - turning this on lets ChatGPT pick up what you were working on across apps and websites so you do not have to re-explain context. It is opt-in, since it tracks activity, so worth understanding before enabling it for a team.
When this could help
Worth enabling if you frequently switch between apps and want ChatGPT to retain context about what you were working on, rather than starting each conversation from scratch.
Computer History is an optional macOS feature that lets ChatGPT and Codex draw on selected activity from apps and websites. It logs interaction events only — no screenshots, screen recordings, microphone input, or system audio. Private browsing is excluded. Users can pause the feature, choose which apps/sites are included, and inspect or delete timeline items.
How to get started
Open the ChatGPT macOS app, go to settings, and enable Computer History. Choose which apps and websites to include. You can pause, inspect, and delete timeline items at any time.
Provider guidance ↗
Try this · The SCALA method
Give AI a clearer brief
- Situation
- You have been working across multiple apps and want ChatGPT to pick up context from your recent activity.
- Consultant
- Act as a context-aware assistant.
- Action
- Based on what I was working on in [app name], help me [task, e.g. 'draft a follow-up email' or 'continue the analysis I started']. [Fill in the real app and task.]
- Language
- Natural continuation of recent work without needing to re-explain context.
- Ask
- Confirm which apps are included in Computer History before relying on it for context.
SCALA suggested prompt · Adapt the context and check the result.
Learn the SCALA method →Build it into your routine
SCALA suggested workflow
Context-aware follow-ups
After a block of focused work in specific apps, use ChatGPT to quickly draft follow-ups, summaries, or next steps — it can draw on what you were working on without you copying and pasting.
What to check
Sources & provider guides
Official documentation checked 12 Oct 2026. SCALA prompts and workflows are suggestions, not claims of hands-on testing.
Source & availability
This is a summary of a published provider announcement, with practical context from SCALA’s feed.
Plan, region, workspace and rollout conditions may affect access in Australia. Check the original source for current availability.
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