OpenAI has began testing a Special feature This allows recent ChatGPT users to enroll with only a phone number – no email address required. The addition was spotted by software developer Tibor Blaho.
The feature is currently in beta within the US and India. However, there are some limitations.
Users who create an account with their number won’t find a way to upgrade to considered one of OpenAI's paid plans equivalent to ChatGPT Plus or ChatGPT Pro without verifying their account via email. Multi-factor authentication can be not supported and not using a valid email address. And once a number has been used for a ChatGPT account, the number might be blocked from creating recent accounts.
“Recycled or reused phone numbers can result in (an) error,” OpenAI explains on a brand new question-and-answer page on its website. “There is currently no workaround. You would wish to contact support or wait until a future system update (scheduled for 2025) which will resolve this issue.”
OpenAI says it has no plans to bring phone number-only signups to other regions.
In its pursuit of growth, OpenAI has experimented with less frictionless methods to bring its products, particularly ChatGPT, to people.
In December, OpenAI launched an experience that enables US-based users to speak over the phone with ChatGPT without spending a dime for quarter-hour monthly. Around the identical time, OpenAI brought ChatGPT to WhatsApp with easy functionality, limited to a certain variety of exchanges per day.
ChatGPT has over 300 million weekly users. Together they donate billions to the corporate's coffers. According to CNBC, OpenAI allegedly expected revenue of $3.7 billion in 2024.
But the corporate is way from profitable.
Although OpenAI raised over $6.6 billion last yr alone allegedly lost about $5 billion in fiscal 2024, because of expenses equivalent to office rent, staff and AI training infrastructure. The company is reportedly considering increasing prices for its various subscription tiers — CEO Sam Altman recently said OpenAI is losing money on its costliest plan — and is exploring usage-based pricing for certain services.
