OpenAI is testing a new feature allowing users to sign up for ChatGPT with just a phone number, no email required. While promising, this comes with its own set of limitations.
Breaking Down the New Feature
The feature, currently in beta testing in the U.S. and India, is designed to make onboarding simpler for users. With just a phone number, anyone can create an account. But, as always, there’s a catch.
- No Paid Plans Without Email: Users signing up with only a phone number can’t upgrade to paid tiers like ChatGPT Plus or ChatGPT Pro. To unlock premium services, they’ll need to verify an email address.
- Limited Security Options: Multi-factor authentication (MFA), a critical security feature, isn’t available for accounts without a verified email.
- Number Reuse Issues: Numbers tied to an account are blocked from creating new ones. This could pose challenges for users with recycled or reused phone numbers. According to OpenAI’s Q&A page, “There is no workaround currently,” though a system update later in 2025 may address this issue.
Why This Move?
OpenAI’s phone number-only signups seem aimed at making ChatGPT more accessible, especially for users in regions where email addresses might not be as prevalent or readily accessible. It’s a big attempt to reduce friction, but it raises the question: does convenience outweigh functionality?
A Push for Growth
This isn’t OpenAI’s first experiment aimed at expanding ChatGPT’s reach. In December 2024, the company introduced features like:
- ChatGPT via Phone: A U.S.-based feature allowing free 15-minute monthly interactions with ChatGPT over the phone.
- WhatsApp Integration: Basic ChatGPT functionality made its way to WhatsApp, albeit with daily interaction caps.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
With over 300 million weekly users, ChatGPT has become a household name. But financial success has been elusive. According to CNBC, OpenAI generated $3.7 billion in revenue in 2024. However, this wasn’t enough to cover its expenses.
- Losses in 2024: Despite raising $6.6 billion in funding last year, OpenAI reported a staggering $5 billion loss, attributed to office rent, staffing, and costly AI training infrastructure.
- Pricing Adjustments Ahead? CEO Sam Altman hinted at potential changes, including higher subscription prices and usage-based pricing for certain services, to address the company’s profitability challenges.
What’s Next for OpenAI?
While the company says it has no plans to expand phone number-only signups to other regions, this pilot could pave the way for similar features in the future. OpenAI’s goal is clear: make ChatGPT as accessible as possible, but not at the expense of security or user experience.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you’re curious about trying ChatGPT but don’t want to create yet another email account, this feature might be a game-changer. However, the limitations are worth keeping in mind.
- Need premium features? You’ll still need an email.
- Concerned about security? MFA isn’t available for phone number-only accounts yet.
How OpenAI Could Improve This Feature
Here are a few suggestions OpenAI might consider to refine the experience:
- Enable multi-factor authentication for phone number-only accounts.
- Provide a more seamless process for resolving number reuse issues.
- Expand the feature to other regions after addressing these initial hiccups.
A Glimpse Into the Future
OpenAI’s experiment hints at a future where accessing top-of-the-line AI tools might require less setup than before. While it’s a step forward, there’s still room for improvement to ensure this convenience doesn’t come at the expense of user trust or functionality.
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