OpenAI has patched its ChatGPT Mac app after a wave of user complaints. The original redesign, which was part of a major update on July 9, 2026, hidden basic chat features and buried conversation history. The backlash was swift and loud. OpenAI has now responded with a fix that makes the chat easy to access again. Here’s what went wrong and what changed.
One app, three modes
The July 9 update was a major overhaul. OpenAI has merged its ChatGPT and Codex products into a single desktop app for Mac and Windows. Three modes are now running:
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Chat for quick questions and conversations
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Work for multi-stage professional tasks
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Codex for software development
The standalone Codex app no ​​longer exists and has been integrated into the unified app. Existing Codex users will retain their projects, settings and workflows after the update.
The star of the release is ChatGPT Work. This is an agent that can handle entire workflows independently, such as preparing reports, creating presentations, analyzing data, writing and executing code, and replying to messages. It runs in the cloud and therefore continues to work even if you close your laptop. It’s available for Plus, Pro, Teams, and Enterprise subscribers.
The update also brought GPT-5.6, a new model family with three tiers:
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Solthe flagship model
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Terrabalanced for everyday work
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Lunafast and affordable
Free and Go users get Terra. Paid users can choose one of the three options.
The game and the quick solution
The rollout quickly ran into difficulties. Users on the OpenAI forum and social media said the new Mac app hides conversation history and removes familiar navigation. TechRadar reported harsh criticism, with one user simply writing: “God Almighty this is so bad.”
OpenAI has developed quickly. The fix, now available for all plans on Mac and Windows, makes chats easily accessible again:
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A clearer layout to switch between chat and work
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Uniform newsso that chat and work conversations are kept together and can be sorted, filtered and pinned
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Projects now appear in the desktop app
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A global toggle to switch between ChatGPT and Codex
Codex remains a separate view whose history remains unchanged.
There is another big change associated with this update. OpenAI is shutting down Atlas, its Chromium-based AI browser launched in October 2025. CEO James Sun confirmed on X that Atlas will stop working on August 9, 2026:
https://x.com/JamesZmSun/status/1943015985209163935
Atlas only lasted nine months. Its agent browsing capabilities are moving to the ChatGPT desktop app’s built-in browser and a new Google Chrome extension that can read page context, summarize content, and launch tasks from the sidebar.
The expansion’s general availability date has not yet been announced. Users have until August 9 to move any Atlas data they want to keep.
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