How to Use ChatGPT: Beginner-Friendly Guide for 2025

So, you’ve heard about ChatGPT and thought, “Alright, let’s see what all the hype is about.” Maybe you want to get quick answers, write something faster, or just have an AI buddy to chat with.

Either way, you’re in the right place!

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to use ChatGPT in the simplest way possible—no tech jargon, no complicated setups, just straight-to-the-point tips to help you get the most out of it. No matter if you’re looking to brainstorm ideas, draft emails, get cooking tips, or even generate code (yeah, it does that too!), this guide will show you how to start using ChatGPT effortlessly.

Shall we get started? Alright, let’s break it down.

What is ChatGPT, and Why Should You Care?

ChatGPT is like your super-smart, always-available digital assistant. It’s an AI chatbot that can help you with just about anything—answering questions, writing emails, brainstorming ideas, explaining complex topics, coding, and even giving you dinner ideas when you’re too tired to think.

Think of it as Google, but instead of sifting through a million links, you get a direct, human-like response. Or like that one friend who somehow knows a little bit about everything—except ChatGPT and its alternatives won’t judge you for asking dumb questions. (Because, let’s be real, we all have them.)

So why should you care?

Because ChatGPT can save you time, effort, and frustration. That’s just doesn’t matter if you’re a student trying to understand a tricky concept, a professional drafting emails, creating a guide on how to use ChatGPT for sales, or just someone who wants fun conversations—this AI is here to help.

And the best part? It’s super-easy. Just type, ask, and let ChatGPT do its thing.

Alright, now that you know what ChatGPT is, let’s get you set up and using it on your phone or computer!

How Do You Use ChatGPT on Your Browser or Phone?

Good news, everybody—you don’t need to be a tech genius to use ChatGPT. Whether you’re on a laptop, tablet, or phone, getting started is as easy as ordering coffee (probably easier, since you don’t have to spell your name out for the barista).

Here is how to use ChatGPT to write an essay or an anecdote on your browser:

Open your favorite browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge—whatever works for you) and head to ChatGPT’s official website.
If it’s your first time, you’ll need to create an account (don’t worry, it’s quick). If you already have one, just sign in.
You’ll see a chat box. Type a question or request, hit enter, and boom—ChatGPT responds!

If you prefer to use ChatGPT on the go, you’ve got two options:

Mobile browser – Just follow the same steps as above using your phone’s browser.
ChatGPT app – Even better, download the official ChatGPT app (available on iOS & Android).

So, let’s imagine, you chose the app. Once installed:

Open the app.
Sign in or create an account.
Start chatting like you would in a messaging app—it’s that easy!

And if you’re too lazy to type, some versions of ChatGPT let you use voice input, so you can just talk to it. Super handy when your hands are full or you’re on the move!

I’ll show you how to use it a bit later.

And, no doubt, ChatGPT is great, but if you’re serious about marketing—for crafting killer content, generating stunning images, or creating viral tweets—Merlin is the tool you need to check out.

If you’re still loving ChatGPT in your browser, you might want to check out the desktop app for an even smoother experience.

How Do You Get Started with the ChatGPT Desktop App?

Matter-of-factly, the ChatGPT desktop app is your new best friend. It works just like the web version—but even more convenient!

Here’s how to get started in no time. First things first, you need to download the ChatGPT desktop app:

Head over to OpenAI’s official website (or the app store for your OS).
Find the ChatGPT desktop app for your system (Windows or macOS).
Click Download, then open the installer and follow the simple steps.

Once installed, open the app. You’ll see a login screen—just enter your OpenAI account details. If you’re new, don’t worry; signing up is quick and easy.

Now the fun part! The app looks just like the web version, with a chat box waiting for your input:

Type your question or request and hit Enter.
Try voice input (if available) for hands-free chatting.
Use keyboard shortcuts for faster responses (some versions even have a handy “Ctrl + Space” shortcut to summon ChatGPT instantly!).

And that’s it! In just a few minutes, you’ll have ChatGPT ready to roll on your desktop, helping you with anything—here is how to use ChatGPT to summarize an article, brainstorm ideas, and draft emails without even opening your browser.

So, as promised. Typing is great, but sometimes, you’re cooking, driving, or just not in the mood to type out long messages. That’s where ChatGPT’s Voice Mode comes in! It lets you chat naturally—just like talking to a friend (but one that actually listens).

Let’s see how it works.

How Do You Talk to ChatGPT Using Voice Mode?

Before jumping in, let’s make sure you have access to Voice Mode. It’s currently available in the ChatGPT mobile app (iOS & Android) and some desktop versions. To get started:

Make sure your app is up to date—older versions may not support Voice Mode.
Check your microphone settings—the app needs permission to hear you.

If everything’s good to go, it’s time to start talking! So, once you’re in the app, turning on Voice Mode is super simple:

Open the ChatGPT app on your phone.
Look for the microphone icon at the bottom of the screen.
Tap it, and start speaking!

That’s it—ChatGPT will process your voice and even talk back to you. No need to type a thing!

Now, here’s where it gets cool. Once Voice Mode is on, you can chat just like you would with a real assistant:

Ask your questions naturally—no need to phrase things perfectly.
Pause and keep going—ChatGPT will wait for you instead of cutting you off.
Try different voices (if available)—you might have options to switch things up!

It feels smooth and intuitive, like having a conversation instead of typing into a chatbot.

Had a chat you’d rather not keep? Maybe you were brainstorming a weird idea, testing out some ChatGPT prompts, or asking a question you definitely don’t want anyone else to see (no judgment here!). No worries—here’s how to clear your chat history.

How Do You Delete Chats in ChatGPT?

Whatever the reason, deleting chats is quick and easy—let’s walk through how to do it on different devices.If you’re using ChatGPT on your phone, clearing chats is just a few taps away:

First, open the ChatGPT app on your iPhone or Android.
Next, head to your chat history—this is where all your past conversations live.
Want to delete a specific chat? Swipe left (on iPhone) or press and hold (on Android) until you see the delete option.
Tap Delete, confirm, and it’s gone!

Easy, right? Now, let’s see how it works on a computer.

Open ChatGPT and log in.
Take a look at the left sidebar—this is where all your saved chats are listed.
Found the chat you want to remove? Hover over it, press three dots, and a small trash can icon will appear.
Click the trash can, confirm, and poof—chat erased!

One important thing to remember: Once a chat is deleted, it’s gone forever. There’s no “undo” or “restore” option. So if there’s anything you might need later (like an instruction on how to use ChatGPT to write a book), copy it somewhere else before hitting delete.

Now, what if you want to go all-in and wipe everything?

Go to Settings (you’ll usually find this under your profile or the three-dot menu).
In the General section find and tap Delete all chats.
Confirm—and just like that, your entire chat history disappears.

Now that you know how to delete chats, let’s talk about something more fun—sharing and viewing images! And, sure, ChatGPT can create images, but Merlin? It takes things to a whole new level. Designed specifically for image generation, it’s like having a digital artist at your fingertips.

See for yourself!

How Do You Create, Share and View Images with ChatGPT?

ChatGPT isn’t just for text anymore—now, a lot of options are available: you’re looking for feedback on a photo, need help analyzing an image, generate an image of your cat riding a bicycle, or just want to share a funny meme—ChatGPT makes it easy.

Here’s how to use ChatGPT to create images or to work with existing ones:

Open ChatGPT (on the web, mobile app, or desktop).
Start a conversation (or open an existing one).
Look for the image upload icon (usually near the message box).
Select or drag & drop the image you want to share.
Once uploaded, ask your question—for example, “What’s in this image?” or “Can you analyze this chart for me?”

That’s it! After you send an image, ChatGPT will analyze and respond based on what it sees. Here’s what you can do:

Ask for a description → ChatGPT can tell you what’s in the image.
Request edits or improvements → Need suggestions for a design or a tweak to an infographic? Just ask!
Extract text from images → If your image contains words (like a screenshot or a sign), ChatGPT can help transcribe or summarize it.

And if you need to know how to use ChatGPT to generate images, here is the way:

Simply type a prompt describing what you want—e.g., “Create an illustration of a futuristic city at sunset.” If available, ChatGPT will use DALL-E to generate the image.
You can refine the image by giving feedback, like “Make it more realistic” or “Add more details to the background.”
Download or modify your AI-generated image as needed.

Isn’t it fun? Yet, ChatGPT can do more than just text and images—it can also be customized to match your style and needs!

How Can You Personalize ChatGPT to Fit Your Needs?

ChatGPT is powerful right out of the box, but did you know you can customize it to better fit your style, preferences, and workflow? You can make ChatGPT to sound more professional, remember important details, or adjust how it responds (there are a few simple ways to make it truly yours).

ChatGPT can be formal, casual, funny, concise, or super detailed—it all depends on how you guide it.

Want a casual tone? Try: “Explain this to me like we’re just chatting over coffee.”
Need a professional response? Say: “Write this in a formal business style.”
Prefer short and direct answers? Request: “Keep responses brief and to the point.”

You can experiment with different prompts to find a style that feels right for you!

Some versions of ChatGPT allow you to set preferences so you don’t have to repeat them every time.

Look for “Customize ChatGPT” in settings.
Fill in details like:
“What should ChatGPT call you?” → Example: “Call me Alex” or “Refer to me as ‘Coach’ since I mentor startups.”
“What do you do?” → Example: “I’m a freelance writer specializing in tech” or “I’m a student studying marketing.”
“What traits should ChatGPT have?” → Example: “Be concise and to the point” or “Use a friendly and encouraging tone.”
“Anything else ChatGPT should know about you?” → Example: “I prefer responses under 100 words” or “I often ask for content ideas, so suggest creative angles.”

Also, you can turn on and off different ChatGPT features like Web Search, DALL-E, Code, and Canvas to control how it interacts with your requests. So, save your preferences, and ChatGPT will remember your settings across conversations!

Want to take personalization even further? I’ve got the answer to how to do it.

How Can You Create Your Own Custom ChatGPT?

Wouldn’t it be cool if ChatGPT could talk exactly how you want, remember specific details about your work, or act like your personal assistant? Well, you can actually customize ChatGPT to fit your needs—no matter if it’s for business, creativity, or just fun!

The quickest way to personalize ChatGPT is by using “Custom instructions”, which allow you to set preferences so you don’t have to repeat them in every conversation.

We already talked about it, so let’s move on,

If you want even more customization, OpenAI allows you to create a Custom GPT—a version of ChatGPT trained for a specific purpose (e.g., customer support, content creation, tutoring, etc.). Here’s how to use ChatGPT to make money by letting it do the work for you:

Go to the Custom GPT Section in OpenAI’s platform.
Set rules and behaviors – Define how your GPT should respond.
Upload documents (if needed) – Provide context like FAQs or style guides.
Test & refine – Chat with your Custom GPT to tweak its responses.

This is great for businesses, educators, or power users who need a chatbot that follows specific rules or knows specialized information.

Want to make your ChatGPT even smarter? You can integrate it with other apps to boost its functionality!

Use Zapier to automate tasks like summarizing emails or generating content.
Integrate with Slack or Google Docs to streamline your workflow.
Connect it to a chatbot platform (like Chatbot.com or Intercom) for customer service.

This turns ChatGPT into a fully customized assistant that works inside your favorite apps! But, why overcomplicate things with integrations and endless workarounds? Merlin already does almost everything you need, straight out of the box.

Take a look and see what’s possible!

ChatGPT is great for text, but what if you could turn your ideas into videos? That’s where Sora comes in!

What is Sora, and How Do You Use It?

Imagine typing a description and watching it transform into a vivid video right before your eyes. Sounds like magic, right?

Well, that’s Sora for you!

To access Sora, you’ll need to be a ChatGPT Plus or Pro user. If you’re already subscribed, simply log in to OpenAI’s platform, find the Sora section, and you’re ready to roll. It’s designed to be as simple as possible, even if you’ve never touched video editing software before.

Creating a video with Sora is as easy as pie:

Log in to the Sora platform.
In the text box, type a description of the scene or action you want to visualize. For example: “A cat lounging on a sunny windowsill.”
Select your desired resolution (up to 1080p), aspect ratio (widescreen, vertical, or square), and video length (up to 20 seconds).
Hit the Generate button and let Sora work its magic. In moments, your video will be ready to view and download.

Sora isn’t just about turning words into videos—it also lets you remix, refine, and enhance content. You can experiment with different styles, extend existing clips, and even blend AI-generated footage with your own.

This makes it a powerful tool for storytelling, advertising, and creative projects.

Right now, some features—like generating realistic human figures—are restricted to prevent misuse, but OpenAI is gradually refining its capabilities. The model also has built-in safety features to block harmful, explicit, or misleading content, ensuring it’s used responsibly.

Sora helps you create, but what if you need ChatGPT to remember things and get stuff done for you? Enter Tasks!

What Are Tasks in ChatGPT, and How Do You Use Them?

Imagine having a personal assistant who not only chats with you but also remembers to send you reminders, fetches daily updates, and automates routine tasks. Sounds like a dream, right?

Well, with ChatGPT’s new Tasks feature, this dream is now a reality!

Introduced in early 2025, the Tasks feature allows ChatGPT to schedule and perform actions at specified times, much like a digital assistant. No matter if it’s sending you a daily weather update, reminding you of an upcoming meeting, or even providing a weekly summary of your favorite news topics,

Tasks are the best way of how to use ChatGPT for sales and marketing (for business in general, I believe). Getting started with Tasks is a breeze:

Click on your profile picture in ChatGPT and select “Tasks” from the dropdown menu. Alternatively, choose “ChatGPT with Scheduled Tasks” from the model selector.
Click on “Create Task” and specify what you want ChatGPT to do. For example, type, “Remind me every Monday at 9 AM to review my weekly agenda.”
Choose the frequency—be it daily, weekly, or a specific date and time.
Once everything looks good, hit “Save,” and voilà! Your task is set.

Keeping track of your tasks is straightforward:

Navigate to the “Tasks” section to see all your scheduled activities.
Need to make a change? Simply select the task, make your adjustments, or delete it if it’s no longer needed.

Since Tasks is still a relatively new feature, it has some limitations. Right now, users can have up to 10 active tasks, and it’s only available in certain regions. Also, while ChatGPT can remind you of things and send updates, it can’t yet take actions outside the app (like sending emails or setting calendar events—at least not yet).

So let’s quickly recap everything and see what’s next!

A Quick Recap and What’s Next

We’ve covered a lot! From getting started with ChatGPT to customizing it to fit your needs, using voice mode, tasks, and even connecting it to other apps—you’re now equipped with everything you need to make the most of this powerful AI tool.

If you’re just skimming through (or need a reminder), here’s what you should take away:

ChatGPT is more than a chatbot—it’s a personal assistant, creative partner, and productivity booster all in one.
You can use it on your browser, phone, or even a desktop app to chat, generate ideas, and get help with everyday tasks.
Features like custom instructions, voice mode, image sharing, and integrations make it flexible and personalized.
Tasks help you automate reminders and updates, making ChatGPT even more useful in your daily routine.
With tools like Sora for video generation and custom GPTs, AI is evolving fast—and you’re just getting started.

Now that you know the basics, it’s time to put ChatGPT to work for you. Try it out, push its limits, and see how it can make your life easier, more creative, and more productive.

And most importantly—keep exploring! AI tools like ChatGPT and Merlin are constantly evolving, with new features rolling out all the time. The more you use it, the more you’ll discover how it can fit into your life in ways you never expected.

So, what will you use AI for next? Go ahead—get creative, get productive, and have fun!

And if you’re looking for an AI tool that goes beyond ChatGPT—one that’s built specifically for marketing, content creation, and image generation—then you need to check out Merlin. It’s designed to take your creativity and productivity to the next level.

Why not give it a try and see what it can do for you?