Petey and MacGPT added support for OpenAI’s GPT-4o in updates reported on May 14, 2024: Petey version 2.5.12 made the model available to Premium subscribers, and MacGPT version 3.2.1 added it to the Mac client. The change brought GPT-4o model access to two third-party Apple apps; it did not automatically give them every feature in OpenAI’s ChatGPT apps. This is a historical May 2024 update, not a new 2026 announcement.
What OpenAI announced with GPT-4o
OpenAI announced GPT-4o on May 13, 2024, describing it as a faster multimodal model designed to work across text, audio, and vision. OpenAI said it was twice as fast as GPT-4 Turbo, cost 50% less in the API, and could support up to five times higher rate limits. Those were OpenAI’s model and API comparisons at launch—not measurements of performance inside Petey or MacGPT, where network conditions, app limits, and account setup could affect the experience. OpenAI’s GPT-4o announcement
The model’s broader vision included combinations of text, audio, image, and video input, as well as text, audio, and image output. Availability did not arrive all at once: the API initially exposed text and vision, while expanded audio and video capabilities were to be introduced separately. OpenAI also announced a limited GPT-4o rollout to ChatGPT’s free tier, with higher limits for paid users; that ChatGPT access did not automatically unlock the model in third-party apps. OpenAI’s ChatGPT free-tier announcement
What changed in Petey
Petey, created by Hidde van der Ploeg, is an Apple-platform ChatGPT client that began as an Apple Watch app and expanded to other Apple devices. BGR reported that version 2.5.12 added GPT-4o, with access to the model tied to Petey Premium. The May 2024 report listed Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro support. BGR’s May 2024 report
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Petey’s appeal is its device-specific convenience, especially for brief interactions from a watch or phone. Earlier coverage described features such as text-to-speech, watch complications, response sharing, Shortcuts integration, and Live Activities on supported iPhones. Those are contextual features of the app, not benefits specifically established as part of version 2.5.12. iMore’s overview of ChatGPT on Apple platforms
What changed in MacGPT
MacGPT, created by Jordi Bruin, added GPT-4o support in version 3.2.1, according to BGR. Its practical draw is access from the Mac menu bar and keyboard invocation, which can be quicker than opening a browser tab when working in another app. The developer recommended switching to GPT-4o for a potentially better experience and lower API costs; that did not mean every MacGPT user’s bill or subscription price necessarily fell. iMore on MacGPT and GPT-4o
To check for the historical update, BGR reported this Mac menu-bar path:
- Open MacGPT.
- In the Mac menu bar, select MacGPT.
- Select Check for updates.
- For the GPT-4o rollout discussed here, install version 3.2.1 or a later version that retains the model.
If the option is missing, the app may already be current. Use the developer’s official distribution channel and verify the selected model in the app rather than assuming an update changed it.
GPT-4o support did not guarantee voice or video features
“Supports GPT-4o” means the app exposed the model through its supported workflow. It is not proof that Petey or MacGPT implemented ChatGPT’s newer real-time voice experience, live video conversation, or every interface feature OpenAI demonstrated. OpenAI’s initial API availability was text and vision, with audio and video access planned as a separate rollout to selected partners. Access to an underlying model and an app’s user-facing features are different things. OpenAI’s description of GPT-4o’s staged capabilities
Petey or MacGPT: which suited which user?
| App | Best fit in the reported 2024 context | Distinctive workflow | GPT-4o access reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petey | People using Apple Watch or other Apple devices for quick interactions | Watch- and device-oriented access; earlier coverage described voice-related conveniences and complications | Version 2.5.12; Premium subscribers, according to BGR |
| MacGPT | Mac users who want a lightweight launcher while working in other apps | Menu-bar access and keyboard invocation | Version 3.2.1, according to BGR |
| Official ChatGPT apps | People who want OpenAI’s own product interface and direct access to features as OpenAI rolls them out | OpenAI’s first-party ChatGPT experience | OpenAI announced a limited free-tier GPT-4o rollout and higher paid-user limits in May 2024 |
These are different workflows, not interchangeable clients. A third-party app may offer a convenient way to reach a model, but its interface, authentication, data handling, feature implementation, and continued access depend on that developer and the underlying service. Check the specific app’s current privacy terms and account requirements before sending sensitive prompts.
How to update Petey and confirm access
- Open the App Store on the Apple device where Petey is installed.
- Find Petey and install the available update. Version 2.5.12 is the version associated with the May 2024 GPT-4o report, not necessarily the current version.
- Open Petey and check its model selector or subscription screen to see whether GPT-4o is available under the relevant plan.
The reported GPT-4o access was tied to Petey Premium. The available May 2024 coverage does not establish one universal sign-in or API-key requirement across all Petey and MacGPT versions and plans. Do not assume a ChatGPT subscription unlocks a third-party app, or that an app subscription necessarily includes separate API usage; check the terms for the particular release and plan.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to check if GPT-4o is missing or not behaving as expected
- The app updated, but the model is absent: Access may depend on the app’s paid tier, a staged rollout, or regional availability. Confirm the plan and model selector.
- Responses do not seem twice as fast: OpenAI’s speed claim compared models at the API level; it was not a guarantee for every app, connection, prompt, or server condition.
- Voice or video is unavailable: GPT-4o support alone does not show that the app implemented the relevant audio or video interface.
- The app asks for another subscription: Petey’s GPT-4o access was reported as a Premium feature. A ChatGPT plan should not be presumed to cover third-party access.
- The model is no longer listed: App developers can change model availability, and model endpoints or access requirements can change. Consult the developer’s current release information.
Why the “latest” wording needs a date
The headline describes the latest OpenAI model features available at the time of the May 2024 report—specifically, GPT-4o support in two third-party clients. The version numbers 2.5.12 and 3.2.1 identify that historical update, not necessarily today’s releases. Current app versions, prices, operating-system requirements, privacy practices, and model availability are not established by the 2024 reporting. For a direct OpenAI product experience, check ChatGPT; for Petey or MacGPT, verify the developer’s present-day app details before installing or subscribing.
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