For beginners
Fake AI apps
Get ChatGPT from the official store. Type the website address yourself.
This is for a ChatGPT app, or a download site, that might not be the real one.
Do not download from an ad
From the FTC alert on ads for fake AI software, checked November 6, 2026. The same steps are on the FTC page on malware.
The FTC says criminals run fake ads for AI tools on social media and on search engines. A malicious ad can open a copied site that downloads harmful software onto your device. Some ads open the real site and still install harmful software, so it is hard to tell that anything went wrong.
Do not click an ad to download software. Type the address yourself. If you search and do not know the address, skip results labeled Ad or Sponsored. Scroll past those.
Get the phone app from the official store
From OpenAI's ChatGPT app FAQ, checked November 6, 2026.
On an iPhone or iPad, get ChatGPT in the App Store. Check that the developer is OpenAI OpCo, LLC.
On an Android phone, get ChatGPT in the Google Play Store. Check that the publisher is OpenAI.
If you search the store, search for "OpenAI ChatGPT" and check that publisher before you download.
How to open the store: Apple's App Store steps say to open the App Store, use Search, then tap Get or the price. Google's Play Store steps say to open the Google Play Store, search, then select Install or the price.
Type the site address yourself
From OpenAI's page on the ChatGPT home page and OpenAI's page on verifying communications, checked November 6, 2026.
OpenAI says you can open ChatGPT at chatgpt.com. OpenAI lists openai.com as its website. Type chatgpt.com yourself.
OpenAI's verifying page also lists official ChatGPT apps for iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows. Use the links on that page, or open the store yourself and check the publisher named above.
What not to paste into a chat is on Is ChatGPT safe? The longer checklist is on what to do right now to stay safe.
Spot a mistake? Email us. Say which sentence.