How to use ChatGPT: A Beginner’s Guide to Mastering OpenAI’s Chatbot in 2026

It will be four years now since ChatGPT was introduced, and the use of AI has shifted from most people who only used to chat with it on their phones or in their homes to something they can use to debug code, make presentations, generate images, shop, and plan trips. Indeed, the word “chatbot” now sounds somewhat underwhelming and even antiquated for today’s capabilities of ChatGPT.

There are always new use cases being created for and because of AI, and ChatGPT isn’t keeping up with the ever-expanding industry of other strong players like Anthropic’s Claude and Google’s Gemini. However, if you’re on a quest to explore AI, the OG is a suitable starting point. The gadget can be typed, spoken, upload a file, connected to an app, and left to run away.

How to use ChatGPT (for beginners)

The tools you’ll need: ChatGPT can be accessed via its website, desktop, or iOS and Android mobile app. There is no need to sign up, but it would be well advised to do so. Perhaps opt for a free account and then see if it is worthwhile to upgrade to a paid plan later on.

1. Register (or don’t register)

ChatGPT can be accessed via the browser at chatgpt.com or via the ChatGPT mobile app for iOS and Android.

The app is easy to try and if you register, you get access to longer and more messages, chat history, projects, memory, file uploads, Library, GPTs and connected apps.

You can use ChatGPT online by visiting chatgpt.com and signing up or logging in. Use your email, Google account, Apple account, Microsoft account, or number, if available. Mobile: Download the app and register as normal.

2. Select a plan (or be unhooked)

ChatGPT Free users are limited to the use of the newest model family from OpenAI, known as “GPT-5.5.” You can ask the AI anything via text or voice, and upload files and generate images. However, the usage limits will be reached quickly.

A paid plan increases limits and provides additional tools and model options, including GPT-5.5 Thinking and GPT-5.5 Pro.

The free users receive approximately 10 messages within 5 hours and the Plus and Go users will receive 160 messages within 3 hours. Plus users will be able to switch to GPT-5.5 Thinking for a maximum of 3,000 messages per week, while Go users will receive 10 messages every five hours. Pro includes infinite Instant and Thinking access (with “abuse guardrails”) as well as GPT-5.5 Pro.

3. Learn the layout

The ChatGPT interface is simple: a sidebar and a main chat area with a composer.

In the web or desktop app, tap the menu button (or button) in the top-left corner to open the menu panel. You can enter a new chat, search past chats, open your image library, browse apps, see sometimes paywalled tools such as Codex, find GPTs, open projects, and see the recent chats. Everything you put will be in the left side bar.

The composer is located at the bottom of the main chat area, and you can use the + tool menu to upload files, pictures, and so on. The model picker, which lets you select among various models, the microphone interface for dictation, and the Voice Mode button are also found on the desktop version of ChatGPT. The model picker is replaced on mobile, however, by the model picker, which can be found at the top of the chat near the new chat button and more menu options.

A more menu is available on desktop, and when you click it, a “Group a chat”, “Move a chat”, “Archive a chat”, and “Delete a chat” menu appears at the top of the main area. To customize, edit or create a profile, click on your profile in the bottom left corner on desktop or the top right corner of the sidebar on mobile.

4. Pick your model

If you want to choose a model on the web, check the composer for the model name. This used to be on top of the main chat window as well. To go to a model on mobile, tap their name at the top of the chat. Next choose a model (if available) to use. For most users, it’s best to stick with the standard setting of ChatGPT and enjoy the benefits of that.

GPT-5.5 Instant is the default GPT-5 model for free and logged-in users as of June 2026. That or another option, GPT-5.5 Thinking, will be available to paid users, as well as to Pro users, who will get GPT-5.5 Pro.

For swift writing, summarizing, brainstorming, simple inquiries, or rapid answers, I would utilize GPT-5.5 Instant; for in-depth tasks like research synthesis, coding assistance, or spreadsheet analysis, I would use GPT-5.5 Thinking. The more powerful version is called GPT-5.5 Pro and is designed for more advanced tasks, where it can be helpful to have greater reasoning time.

5. Start a chat

To begin a new conversation, click/tap on New chat, and enter your message in the composer and press Enter or tap Send. Use Shift + Enter or Shift + Return to add line breaks. You can also use the mic button to dictate your prompt or tap the button with the waveform to initiate a Voice Mode conversation on the Web and mobile.

ZDNET has written several articles about how to write a prompt. Sometimes, people need to provide ChatGPT with instructions. The key is to provide sufficient context for it to do the job properly. You may need to describe the task, maybe even the audience, give it source material, provide constraints such as format, and more.

Rather than “give me a photo of myself that looks like a LinkedIn photo,” try: “Use the attached picture of myself and make it a LinkedIn professional headshot for my resume and in the workplace–Do not alter my face, body or likeness.” My other suggestion is to encourage with questions. Continue editing and re-reading until you’re satisfied. If necessary, you can join a new chat.

What are the possibilities with ChatGPT?

After you’ve reviewed the above, you can begin to use ChatGPT for more than simple questions. The number of use cases is virtually limitless, although there are a few in-built ChatGPT features that really help complete more work, whether that’s a deep research report, connected applications such as Canva or Malwarebytes, or custom GPTs and projects. Here are some things you can do:

1. Search the web

When you need up-to-date or current information, ChatGPT can search the web. For news, prices, laws, product specifications, software updates, sports, weather or anything else that might have changed recently.

On the Web, select Web Search from the Tools menu. If you are on a mobile device, select Plugins on the Tools menu and then Search. Or simply type /Search on desktop and mobile. Regardless, attempt to ask: “What Google announces at I/O 2026?” You’ll want to see ChatGPT “research” a variety of web pages rather quickly—and at the end, you’ll receive a summary loaded with links to primary sources.

As usual, do check the factual answers of the facts.

2. Use Deep Research

Deep Research is for larger questions. Can search across sources, compare information, and create a more structured report including citations. Imagine that you are handed a piece of paper and your glasses. Imagine you’ve got a piece of paper and your glasses. Deep Research is a folder.

In the web or cell app, go to the instruments menu and select Deep Research. Another option is to type /Deep Research. Once it’s ready, try asking ChatGPT something really complicated, multi-part, highly specific that requires context and reasoning. An example:

I’m 38, born in New York; my mother was born in New York as well and my grandfather was born in Quebec and passed away in New York.” As of 2026, am I a Canadian citizen by descent? How can I prove my legal status and be certain of it?”

Over the last two years, the use of ChatGPT has also undergone a few changes with Deep Research. As far as I heard, free users could use a limited version of it, Plus users could use for 25 full reports per month and Pro could use for 250 reports per month. I’ve contacted OpenAI for a comment.

3. Upload files and analyze them

Who can access? Both paid and free, usage limited.

ChatGPT supports PDF, document, spreadsheet, CSV, image and other file types. This is one of the most helpful capabilities of the AI, as it allows you to type questions into the chat box for your own content versus pasting large chunks of text.

Tap the + sign in the web or mobile app, and select the file, attachment, or photo option. Then type your prompt: “Summarize this PDF in three bullets,” “Find spelling mistakes in this document” or “Turn this spreadsheet into a chart” or “Tell me how to improve my resume.” ChatGPT can clean columns, add up numbers, identify patterns, and interpret the meaning of the numbers when given data.

4. Connect to apps like Canva

Any applications can be integrated with ChatGPT for additional capabilities or increased productivity. In the past, these apps were frequently referred to as connectors, but the underlying concept remains consistent: you give ChatGPT access to a third-party service you’re already using, in order for it to search or utilize the data that you’ve connected.

You can, for instance, pair Google Drive to your saved files. Alternatively, you can upload Canva and ask ChatGPT to make a presentation. For example, Malwarebytes also offers an application that allows you to question ChatGPT about an email, letter, or text you received to determine if it is scam or not. In chat, use @ mentions or the tools menu or simply use natural language such as, “Search my Google Drive for the latest budget spreadsheet.”

However, it is necessary to first join the app. From Android, iOS, or the web, select your profile icon, Settings, Apps and then go to Apps in the app directory. Select an app, click on Connect and follow the permissions procedure.

5. Make images and search for them in Library

ChatGPT can generate images and edit images you upload. As I have found, it will help to give a description of the style, layout, colors, aspect ratio and anything you wish to appear in detail, such as text. The lowest prompt is “make an image of a cat.” The better one is: “Make a 16:9 size portrait of a Russian blue cat on a pink background with shiny lights, HD resolution and no texts.”

If you have a ChatGPT account on the web, simply type in “Create an image” in the prompt, or if you come across it, click on the tool menu item “Images. On mobile, click on the tools button, or type the prompt. Once your image has been displayed, request any modifications you want in the same chat, for example “can you make it brighter” or “can you change the pink background to purple.” If you want to search for any image again, click your Library in the left sidebar.

Like Deep Research, ChatGPT often changes the usage limits for image generation. The final figures I found imply that free users receive a couple of pictures per day, Go users receive 20-30 pictures per day, Plus users will receive approximately 50 pictures every three hours and Pro is unlimited.

Anyone with a ChatGPT account can generate images, but to store them in a library, one must have an account, obviously.

6. Find and use GPTs

GPTs are specialised versions of ChatGPT that are designed for specific tasks. A GPT would basically be used when you want a custom workflow.

Some GPTs are used for writing, coding, studying, design, research, or productivity. Some of them are created by OpenAI, while others are created by users or organizations. You can check your GPTs on mobile, but I wasn’t able to find an option to explore your GPTs.

Explore GPTs can be opened from the sidebar on the web. Find a topic, click on it and begin a discussion. For mobile, your GPTs will only appear in the sidebar, above the recent conversations. GPTs can be used by free users with restrictions, and the creation of GPTs is subject to a paid subscription.

7. Create Projects

Projects are equivalent to workspaces in which to conduct continuous work. They maintain the associated conversations, documents, and instructions all in one place, which means that ChatGPT can rely on specific context without having to re-explain everything every time it is resumed. Consider Projects as a memory stick of folders.

From within the Web or mobile application, click the Projects link in the sidebar, click New project, give it a name, type in instructions, and upload files. A project may be for a book, coding project, research project, vacation project or anything else. You can give ChatGPT guidance on tone, audience, formatting, and sources to use. All ChatGPT users can save a project.

8. Use Voice Mode

In Voice Mode, you can interact with ChatGPT by speaking to it. This mode can be helpful in practicing a presentation, conducting a role-play interview, brainstorming, or ventilation of disorganized thoughts. In the web or app, create a new message and click on the “…” button. Then begin talking, interrupting ChatGPT, or asking questions that follow what you just asked, the way you would do in a one-on-one conversation.

As always, free users have access to limited content, paid users to more.

9. Save memories and personalize

Finally, let’s discuss what ChatGPT will recall about you. Has Memory functionality which can keep handy details throughout conversations — up to 130 as I discovered lately as a Plus user — until reminded to clear some. For instance, the AI could store my weight, height, name, family, etc. after I tell it about them, and then not have to repeat it every time I ask it for information about myself.

However, there are other properties of ChatGPT that impact on their memory. To instruct ChatGPT on how to respond, you can use custom instructions. You can, for instance, instruct it to never use em dashes in its responses. Click on your profile icon on the web or mobile, then Settings and then Personalization. You then have the possibility of managing memory and adding custom instructions.

You can even adjust the AI’s tone, make it sound less warm, less enthusiastic; you can even choose whether it uses headers, lists, and emojis.

Last but not least, you can take advantage of Temporary Chat. It is a small icon with a speech bubble at the top of the main chat section on the desktop. If you don’t want ChatGPT to remember a conversation, use this feature. Similar to Chrome’s Incognito window, but for ChatGPT. You can even go back and archive or delete previous chats for greater privacy. Simply click the Recent chat link in the left sidebar, click its menu, and select Archive or Delete.

To remember things about you, or to be more personalized, you must be logged in to ChatGPT.

And There’s More: Key Benefits That Often Go Unnoticed

There are a few other hidden gems in ChatGPT since it’s always getting better. Here are some great ones to consider trying:

• Codex (Free and Paid): Codex, located in the sidebar, is ChatGPT’s programming companion, enabling users to compose, inspect, and fix code. Can analyze repositories, refactor scripts and test code.
• Agent Mode (for Paid users): Agent Mode enables ChatGPT to carry out multi-step tasks, like browsing websites, filling out forms, and creating files, through tools. I recommend using it if you want ChatGPT to work independently.
• Canvas (Free and Paid users): This feature enables you and ChatGPT to work together on text, code, or a draft in a split space.
• Scheduling Tasks (for Paid users): You can use this tool to schedule tasks, one-time or repeating, like daily summaries or weekly reminders. ChatGPT will perform the task on time and send you an email and notifications when it is finished.
• For the Free and Paid users in the US: You can ask ChatGPT about a product, and it will return images, details and sometimes a “Buy” button. It will be announced in September 2025 and will enable U.S. users to checkout via chat from participating merchants such as Etsy.
• Study and Learn (for Free and Paid users): This mode is available via tools and will bring you through lessons, quizzes, and reasoning exercises, but will not give you answers—this is ideal when you want to learn a new topic in an interactive way.

The idea is to engage in some playing, do some experiments, see what you like about tools or how you use AI the most, and enjoy yourself trying out ChatGPT.

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