Getting Started with ChatGPT Atlas

Your complete guide to downloading, installing, and using Atlas

System Requirements

Operating System

macOS 14 or later (Sonoma or newer)

Atlas requires a recent version of macOS to take full advantage of modern system features and security.

Processor

Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, or newer)

Atlas is optimized for Apple's silicon chips and currently requires them for optimal AI processing performance.

Account

ChatGPT Account (Free, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, or Education)

You'll need an active ChatGPT account to sign in and use Atlas. Free accounts are supported!

Coming Soon: Windows, iOS, and Android versions are in development. Intel Mac support has not been announced.

Download and Installation

Step 1: Download Atlas

  1. Visit the official download page at chatgpt.com/atlas
  2. Click the "Download for macOS" button
  3. The .dmg file will download to your Downloads folder
  4. Wait for the download to complete (file size is approximately 150-200 MB)
Tip: Make sure you're downloading from the official OpenAI website (chatgpt.com) to ensure you get the legitimate application.

Step 2: Install Atlas

  1. Open the downloaded .dmg file from your Downloads folder
  2. Drag the Atlas icon to your Applications folder
  3. Wait for the copy process to complete
  4. Eject the .dmg file when finished

Step 3: First Launch

  1. Open Atlas from your Applications folder or use Spotlight (⌘ + Space, then type "Atlas")
  2. macOS may display a security prompt on first launch
  3. If prompted, click "Open" to confirm you want to run the application
  4. Grant any permissions Atlas requests (these are necessary for full functionality)
Permission Requests: Atlas may ask for permissions to manage network connections and access certain system features. These are standard for web browsers and safe to grant.

Step 4: Sign In to ChatGPT

  1. When Atlas opens, you'll see a sign-in screen
  2. Enter your ChatGPT account credentials
  3. Complete any two-factor authentication if enabled
  4. Atlas will sync with your ChatGPT account

Step 5: Import Your Data (Optional)

Atlas makes it easy to bring your existing browsing data from other browsers:

  1. After signing in, Atlas will offer to import data from your existing browsers
  2. Select which browser to import from (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc.)
  3. Choose what to import:
    • Bookmarks and favorites
    • Saved passwords
    • Browsing history
    • Open tabs
  4. Click "Import" and wait for the process to complete
Note: Importing is completely optional. You can skip this step and start fresh, or import data later from Settings.

Initial Configuration

Recommended Settings for First-Time Users

Browser Memories: Start Disabled

We recommend leaving Browser Memories disabled initially until you understand how they work. You can enable them later from Settings → Privacy → Browser Memories.

Data Training: Keep Opt-Out

By default, your browsing content is not used for AI training. This is the recommended setting for most users.

Agent Mode: Available When Needed

Agent Mode (for Plus, Pro, and Business users) is available on-demand. You don't need to configure anything—just use it when you need it.

Your First Tasks in Atlas

1. Exploring the New Tab Page

Open a new tab (⌘ + T) to see Atlas's intelligent starting page:

  • Try asking a question in the search bar: "What's the weather today?"
  • Notice how you get both a chat response and additional search options
  • Click on the different tabs (Search, Images, Videos, News) to see varied results

2. Using ChatGPT While Browsing

  1. Navigate to any website (try a news article or Wikipedia page)
  2. Look for the ChatGPT sidebar button or use the keyboard shortcut
  3. Ask ChatGPT to summarize the page or explain a concept
  4. Notice how ChatGPT understands the page context without you copying anything

3. Controlling Page Visibility

  1. Visit a website with sensitive information
  2. Look at the address bar for the visibility toggle
  3. Click it to disable ChatGPT's access to the page
  4. Try asking ChatGPT about the page—it will tell you it can't see it
  5. Toggle visibility back on to restore access

4. Trying Agent Mode (Plus/Pro/Business)

If you have a Plus, Pro, or Business account:

  1. Open a new tab and try this command: "Find three highly-rated Italian restaurants in San Francisco"
  2. When ChatGPT offers to use Agent Mode, click "Yes" or "Allow"
  3. Watch as ChatGPT opens tabs, searches, and compiles results
  4. Review the findings and ask follow-up questions
Start Simple: Begin with research tasks before trying more complex actions like shopping or booking.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Navigation

  • ⌘ + T New Tab
  • ⌘ + W Close Tab
  • ⌘ + L Focus Address Bar
  • ⌘ + R Reload Page
  • ⌘ + [ Go Back
  • ⌘ + ] Go Forward

ChatGPT Features

  • ⌘ + Shift + C Open ChatGPT Sidebar
  • ⌘ + K Quick Command
  • ⌘ + Option + V Toggle Visibility

General

  • ⌘ + , Open Settings
  • ⌘ + Shift + N New Incognito Window
  • ⌘ + Q Quit Atlas

Common Questions

Can I use Atlas without a paid ChatGPT subscription?

Yes! Atlas is available to free ChatGPT users. However, some features like Agent Mode are limited to Plus, Pro, and Business subscribers.

Will Atlas replace my current browser?

That's entirely up to you. Atlas can be your primary browser or used alongside others. Many users start by using Atlas for research and AI-assisted tasks while keeping their existing browser for other activities.

How much storage space does Atlas require?

The initial installation is about 150-200 MB. Cached data and browsing history will grow over time, similar to any browser.

Can I use browser extensions with Atlas?

Yes! Atlas supports web extensions, including popular ones like 1Password. Note that you may need to configure extensions to recognize Atlas as a supported browser.

Is my browsing data private from OpenAI?

By default, your browsing content is not used to train AI models. You have complete control over what ChatGPT can see through visibility toggles and can browse in incognito mode for complete privacy. See our Privacy & Safety page for details.

What if I encounter a bug or problem?

OpenAI provides support through the Help Center at help.openai.com. You can also report bugs directly through Atlas by going to Help → Report a Problem.

Tips for Success

Take Your Time

Atlas introduces new paradigms for browsing. Spend time exploring features before diving into complex tasks.

Start with Research

Begin by using Atlas for information gathering and research. This lets you experience AI assistance in low-risk scenarios.

Learn the Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts make Atlas much more efficient. Learn the ones you'll use most frequently.

Experiment with Queries

The new tab page accepts both questions and URLs. Try different types of queries to discover what works best.

Customize Privacy Settings

Take time to configure privacy settings to match your comfort level before heavy use.

Monitor Agent Mode

When using Agent Mode, stay present and watch what it's doing, especially at first.

Next Steps

1. Explore Features

Read our comprehensive Features page to understand all of Atlas's capabilities.

2. Understand Privacy

Review our Privacy & Safety guide to make informed decisions about your data.

3. Try Agent Mode

If you have access, learn about Agent Mode and its powerful capabilities.

4. Stay Updated

Check OpenAI's release notes regularly at help.openai.com for new features and improvements.

Official Resources

For the most up-to-date information, official documentation, and support:

  • Download: chatgpt.com/atlas
  • Getting Started Guide: help.openai.com/en/articles/12628555-getting-started-with-atlas
  • Release Notes: help.openai.com/en/articles/12591856-release-notes
  • Support: help.openai.com

Ready to Start?

Now that you know how to get started, explore the full potential of ChatGPT Atlas!

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