Shortly after, a report claimed that Apple would be release iOS 18.2 sooner than expected, the iPhone maker released iOS 18.2 beta 2. The software version will bring additional features Apple Intelligence features to iPhone 15 Pros and iPhone 16 devices, including ChatGPT integration.

The best part about accessing ChatGPT is that it is free. You don’t even need an OpenAI account to run it in your Apple Intelligence experience. Apple has also ensured that users get excellent privacy ChatGPT by accessing it via the Siri interface.

However, Apple also allows you to use your existing ChatGPT account. This might be a better option for some users, especially those with a paid subscription.

Interestingly, Apple will also let you subscribe to ChatGPT Plus from the Settings app on iPhone, which is an unusual approach to content purchases on iPhone.

If you already have a ChatGPT Plus subscription, you won’t worry about this option unless you want to resubscribe through Apple’s payment system. If you are new to the genAI game and don’t use ChatGPT much, you may want to reconsider your options. There are cases where the $20/month subscription is worth it, but don’t rush to get it.

Found by 9to5Mac in the latest beta version of iOS 18.2, the Upgrading to ChatGPT Plus the option is available in Settings, Apple Intelligence and SiriAnd ChatGPT.

As a ChatGPT Plus owner, I will not need the purchase option unless I cancel my subscription and then decide to resubscribe. Additionally, I will be waiting for Apple Intelligence in Europe at least until April. I won’t get ChatGPT integration in iOS 18 on my iPhone 16 Plus soon.

Why buy a ChatGPT Plus subscription

But as a ChatGPT Plus user, I think the premium access is worth it. I have access to all new ChatGPT features almost as soon as OpenAI releases them. (Like Apple Intelligence, this is a European limitation for certain features).

Most importantly, ChatGPT Plus has higher limits for whatever you want to do with AI, be it Access to advanced voice mode or using the best ChatGPT models for longer.

Apple is highlighting some of ChatGPT Plus’ features for users in an upgrade screen that will appear in the Settings app:

5x more messages on GPT-4o and access to even more advanced models
Higher limits for photo and file uploads, image generation, and web browsing
More natural, real-time conversations with ChatGPT’s advanced voice mode

This comparison of OpenAI price The website shows the benefits of ChatGPT Plus over the free tier:

If you’re about to experience ChatGPT through Apple Intelligence, chances are you won’t need a Plus subscription so soon, especially if you’re more reluctant to use AI.

When to get ChatGPT Plus

But as you start to understand and use ChatGPT more and more, you might reach these limits. You may want better access to OpenAI’s more sophisticated models. These are cases where the Plus subscription becomes a good option.

Interestingly, the Settings app will tell you if you’re reaching your ChatGPT Free limits. This should help you decide if an upgrade to Plus is warranted.

It’s important to remember that once you sign up for a ChatGPT Plus subscription, you will lose some of the privacy protections offered by ChatGPT’s free integration into Apple Intelligence. This is because OpenAI will be responsible for managing your privacy. You can, however, protect your privacy when you use ChatGPT with a subscription. OpenAI makes it easy to opt out of model training.

As for the entity that handles your payments, I suspect that ChatGPT Plus subscription payments purchased through the Settings app will go through Apple Pay. I would also expect Apple to receive a commission.

Rumor has it that the ChatGPT deal for Apple Intelligence involves no money. OpenAI has access to a potentially massive influx of customers. Apple gets a great crutch for Siri, which can’t match ChatGPT for answering questions.

Once that becomes clear, you might worry about where you’re sending your $20/month for ChatGPT Plus. You may prefer to let Apple handle your payments or simply go directly through OpenAI.

Also, I will point out the obvious. You can cancel ChatGPT Plus at any time if the premium subscription is of no value.

Finally, remember that the ChatGPT app for iPhone still exists, whether or not you have access to Apple Intelligence. This might be an even better way to use ChatGPT on iPhone than Apple Intelligence.