As of 15 January 2026, the service has been discontinued. Users attempting to message the bot now receive the following automated response:
ChatGPT is no longer available on WhatsApp. Download the ChatGPT app to continue using this service.
While the shutdown might feel sudden to some, the writing has been on the wall since October 2025, when it was announced that ChatGPT would eventually sunset its WhatsApp chatbot.
OpenAI (the creators of ChatGPT) could not keep the service running after Meta (the owner of WhatsApp) changed its platform rules to strictly forbid third-party AI models from operating on WhatsApp.
It’s not just ChatGPT. Other popular AI chatbots, including Microsoft Copilot, Perplexity, Luzia, and Poke, are also shutting down their WhatsApp services to comply with Meta’s new policy.
What are your options now? Since the shutdown, we have received numerous messages at Techzim and in our community groups asking for a workaround. Unfortunately, there is no way to force ChatGPT to work inside WhatsApp anymore.
Currently, the only major AI assistant left standing on the platform is Meta’s own in-house tool, Meta AI.
The “WhatsApp Bundles” Problem: Why This is a Big Deal
For many users in Zimbabwe and across Africa, this is more than just a minor inconvenience; it is a significant accessibility issue.
Millions of people rely heavily on WhatsApp Data Bundles to connect to the digital world. Access to the open internet is often prohibitively expensive, leading many to use “WhatsApp-only” internet bundles. For those who can afford slightly more, “Facebook Bundles” are the next step up, but full internet access remains a luxury for many.
This has created a unique ecosystem where web tools with a WhatsApp interface (like the ChatGPT bot) served as a vital window to the broader internet. They allowed people who only have WhatsApp bundles to access information, study aids, and business tools that would otherwise be out of reach.
With OpenAI and other LLM providers being pushed off the platform, many users are now effectively cut off from these powerful tools because they simply cannot afford the open data required to use the standalone ChatGPT app.
This change means many just can’t afford to use ChatGPT anymore.
According to OpenAI ChatGPT had more than 50 million people using ChaGPT on WhatsApp. The service was introduced in December 2024 (via the number +1 800 242 8478) and quickly became a staple for users needing AI assistance without leaving their most-used app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Meta AI is free and built directly into WhatsApp. You don’t need to download anything extra.
On your main chats screen, look for a small blue/purple circle icon (sometimes it looks like a sparkle ring) just above the green “New Chat” button.
Alternatively, tap the Search bar at the top of your WhatsApp. You should see a “Meta AI” row appear below the search field.
Generally, benchmarks have indicated the best AI chatbots are ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude. While these have been considered the best, Meta itself is still pretty good.
No. Currently, Econet and NetOne don’t offer a specific data bundle for the standalone ChatGPT app.
We strongly advise against this. The reason ChatGPT was removed is that Meta (WhatsApp) banned all general-purpose third-party AI bots from their platform. Any “unofficial” bot claiming to work right now is likely breaking WhatsApp’s rules. Using these unauthorized workarounds could get your own WhatsApp number banned for violating terms of service. It is safer to stick to the official ChatGPT app or Meta AI.
Your old chats are not deleted from your phone, but they are “frozen” in the chat thread.
Generally, no. Modern AI requires an internet connection. However, keep an eye on local services like EcoChat (by Econet/Cassava), which has previously experimented with AI access via SMS or USSD. While not as powerful as the full ChatGPT app, these local solutions are often the only option for users without general data bundles.
Comments
2 responses
Talking to a model via ussd are you for real ?
This article clearly explains an important update many users will care about. The reasons behind ChatGPT’s removal from WhatsApp are laid out in a way that’s easy to understand, and the breakdown of what it means for users is especially helpful. Great read for anyone who relied on the service and wants to stay informed!https://veteranroofingsystems.com/