OpenAI has started testing a function which allows modern ChatGPT users to register using only their phone number – without having to provide an email address. There was an addition spotted by software engineer Tibor Blaho.
The feature is currently in beta in the US and India. However, there are some limitations.
Users who create an account using their number cannot upgrade to one of OpenAI’s paid plans, such as ChatGPT Plus or ChatGPT Pro, without account verification via email. Multi-factor authentication is also not supported without a valid email address. Once a number is used for a ChatGPT account, the creation of modern accounts on that number will be blocked.
“Recycled or reused phone numbers can lead to: [an] error,” OpenAI explains on a modern Q&A page on its website. “There is currently no solution. You will need to contact support or wait for a future system update (scheduled for 2025) that may resolve this issue.
OpenAI says it has no plans to roll out phone number-only registrations to other regions.
In its pursuit of growth, OpenAI is experimenting with ways to present its products, particularly ChatGPT, to lower-friction users.
In December, OpenAI rolled out a feature that allows US users to chat on the phone with ChatGPT for free for 15 minutes per month. Around the same time, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT to WhatsApp with basic functionality circumscribed 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 apparently expected revenue of $3.7 billion in 2024.
However, the company is far from profitable.
Even though OpenAI raised over $6.6 billion last year alone apparently lost approximately $5 billion in fiscal year 2024 thanks to expenses including office rent, staff and AI training infrastructure. The company is said to be considering raising the prices of various subscription tiers — CEO Sam Altman recently said that OpenAI is losing money on its most pricey plan — and examining pricing for some usage-based services.