Since its debut a few years ago, ChatGPT has grown and evolved remarkably. Last year, OpenAI introduced the Advanced Voice Mode, a major step forward that gave users the ability to have real-time, natural conversations with the chatbot. However, there was one major frustration — starting a voice chat felt like launching a new, separate session rather than continuing from your existing conversation.
Switching between text and voice modes often pulled users out of their ongoing chats, breaking the flow and making it difficult to stay organized. Thankfully, OpenAI has addressed this pain point. The new update now allows you to start a voice conversation directly within your current chat, making the experience far smoother and more intuitive.
On top of that, the update brings a few other welcome features. You can see ChatGPT’s responses appear in real time, scroll through earlier parts of your conversation with ease, and even view visuals like images or maps while chatting. These changes make voice interactions feel far more connected and dynamic than before.
An Optional Upgrade
If you prefer the older, stand-alone voice interface, OpenAI hasn’t taken that away. You can easily switch back by navigating to Settings > Voice Mode in the ChatGPT app — available on both web and mobile — and enabling Separate mode. This restores the original floating orb interface that lights up as you speak to ChatGPT, a familiar view for longtime users. Even in this mode, the experience remains engaging and useful, whether you’re asking casual questions or using it on the go, such as during a museum visit.
