OpenAI has begun testing a feature that allows new ChatGPT users to sign up with just a phone number, no email required. The addition was noticed by software engineer Tibor Blaho.
The feature is currently in beta in the US and India. However, there are some restrictions.
Users who create an account using their own number cannot upgrade to one of OpenAI’s paid plans, such as ChatGPT Plus or ChatGPT Pro, without verifying their account via email. Multi-factor authentication is also not supported without a valid email. And once a number is used for a ChatGPT account, the number is blocked from creating new accounts.
“Recycled or reused phone numbers can lead to (an) error,” OpenAI explains in a new Q&A page on its website. “There is currently no alternative solution. You should contact support or wait until a future system update (expected in 2025) that may resolve this issue.
OpenAI says it has no plans to bring phone-only signups to other regions.
In pursuit of growth, OpenAI has experimented with lower-friction ways to get its products, particularly ChatGPT, in front of people.
In December, OpenAI launched an experience that allows US-based users to chat on the phone with ChatGPT for free for 15 minutes per month. Around the same time, OpenAI brought ChatGPT to WhatsApp with simple functionality, limited to a certain number of exchanges per day.
ChatGPT has over 300 million weekly users. Collectively, they contribute billions to the company’s coffers. According to CNBC, OpenAI expects revenues of $3.7 billion in 2024.
Yet the company is far from profitable.
Despite raising more than $6.6 billion last year alone, OpenAI reportedly lost about $5 billion in fiscal 2024, thanks to expenses including office rent, staff and intelligence training infrastructure artificial. The company is said to be considering increasing the price of its various subscription tiers (CEO Sam Altman recently said that OpenAI is losing money on its most expensive plan) and exploring usage-based pricing for certain services .
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