
Insights At a Glance:
- OpenAI has officially rolled out image generation for ChatGPT on WhatsApp via 1-800-ChatGPT, letting users create visuals directly in chat.
- This follows earlier expansions in April 2025, which brought chat, call, live updates, and shopping tools to more WhatsApp users.
- Meanwhile, WhatsApp is rolling out Ads in Status Updates, among other features.
ChatGPT just got a whole lot more fun on WhatsApp.
After months of slowly expanding its reach, OpenAI has now officially rolled out image generation via WhatsApp through the number 1-800-ChatGPT (+1 (800) 242-8478). Whether you’re imagining a flying fish soaring over a sea lion (yes, we tested that), or designing a party invite on the go, you can now prompt ChatGPT to generate images directly in your chats.

This marks yet another milestone in OpenAI’s quiet but steady march into your messaging apps. First came the limited rollout in December 2024, when a handful of users got access to chat and call with ChatGPT via WhatsApp. Then in April 2025, things leveled up with the introduction of real-time answers, sports updates, and even shopping recommendations—all within ChatGPT. It was around this time that the feature became available to more users globally, turning WhatsApp into a Swiss Army knife of AI-powered tools.
Now, with image generation added to the mix, the ChatGPT bot isn’t just helpful—it’s creative too.
To try it out, just start a conversation with 1-800-ChatGPT on WhatsApp or simply tap/click on this link (yes, it works with WhatsApp Web too). If you’ve got a ChatGPT account, make sure to link it—OpenAI notes that linking gives you access to even more image generations. Once you’re set, just type something like “draw me a robot riding a camel” and watch the magic happen.
While OpenAI hasn’t explicitly said how many images you can generate per day, I was only able to generate one image without linking my account before being notified that the limit will reset after 24 hours. But I assume users who’ve linked their accounts will likely get a fairly generous limit. This new feature blurs the line between chatting and creating—and signals that OpenAI isn’t done innovating inside the world’s most popular messaging app. It’s playful, it’s fast, and it puts generative AI one step closer to where people already spend most of their digital lives: their chat inboxes.
So if you haven’t already saved 1-800-ChatGPT, now’s the time. The next time you’re stuck in a group chat, ask it to draw something ridiculous. Who knows—you might just start a meme.
In other news, WhatsApp is rolling out ads in Status Updates. While a great discovery tool for businesses and creators, it poses various privacy concerns for regular users.
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