Meta Strikes Out: OpenAI’s 1-800-ChatGPT Calls & Messages Facility on WhatsApp to Disappear
It seems one of the oldest corporate tactics is back in play, when your own product underperforms, you try to undercut your rival’s. Meta appears to be doing just that by cutting off a feature that allowed millions of WhatsApp users to access OpenAI’s ChatGPT directly through calls or messages.
According to OpenAI’s official post on X and the company’s blog announcement, Meta’s updated platform policies will result in the shutdown of OpenAI’s 1-800-ChatGPT service on WhatsApp starting January 15, 2026. The service, which offered a seamless way to use ChatGPT via WhatsApp, reportedly had over 50 million active users worldwide.
Meta changed its policies so 1-800-ChatGPT won't work on WhatsApp after Jan 15, 2026.
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) October 22, 2025
Luckily we have an app, website, and browser you can use instead to access ChatGPT.
OpenAI has outlined a transition plan to help users continue accessing ChatGPT after the shutdown:
Download the ChatGPT app on Android, iOS, or desktop.
Create a ChatGPT account and sign in.
Link your WhatsApp number by visiting the URL in the 1-800-ChatGPT contact profile.
Once linked, your WhatsApp number will be tied to your ChatGPT account, and all past WhatsApp conversations will automatically appear in your ChatGPT history.
While Meta hasn’t issued an official statement explaining the change, speculation is high that the company is seeking to promote its own AI ecosystem. The growing popularity of OpenAI’s WhatsApp feature may have clashed with Meta’s strategic interests, particularly as it continues pushing its in-house Meta AI, which is now deeply integrated into WhatsApp, even appearing in the app’s search bar.
The timing aligns with Meta’s increased investment in promoting Llama-based language models across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The removal of OpenAI’s service could be seen as a competitive maneuver to ensure Meta’s AI tools take center stage on its platforms.
Meanwhile, OpenAI continues to broaden its product lineup. The company recently entered the browser market with ChatGPT Atlas, a dedicated AI-powered browser designed to compete with Google Chrome and Perplexity’s Comet. Currently available on macOS, ChatGPT Atlas will soon roll out on Windows, iOS, and Android, further expanding OpenAI’s reach across devices and ecosystems.
The discontinuation of ChatGPT’s WhatsApp service marks a significant shift in the growing rivalry between OpenAI and Meta, signaling how tightly big tech is locking down its platforms to promote in-house AI solutions.
Do you think Meta made the right move by removing OpenAI’s WhatsApp access, or is it a step backward for AI accessibility and competition? Share your thoughts below.
