ChatGPT brings branched chats to iPhone — pause, fork and run parallel conversations

OpenAI has rolled out branched conversations to the ChatGPT iPhone app, extending a desktop feature that arrived in September. Users can now interrupt a chat at selected points, create branches and continue multiple threads in parallel to keep complex dialogues clearer and easier to manage.

The goal is to let people explore different lines of thought — testing alternative prompts, follow‑ups or ideas — without losing the original conversation. Branching helps prevent long, tangled chats and makes it simpler to return to earlier directions or compare outcomes side‑by‑side.

How it helps

• Organizes complex or exploratory conversations by separating topics into parallel threads.
• Makes iterative testing of prompts and responses easier without overwriting prior context.
• Helps users revisit or compare different approaches without scrolling through a single long chat.

Availability and usage

The branched chat capability is now available in the ChatGPT mobile app for iPhone at selected insertion points within a conversation. If you use ChatGPT across devices, this aligns mobile behavior with the desktop experience, making cross‑device workflows smoother.

To try it, look for options in a conversation to pause or branch at a message — the app will create a separate thread you can switch between. OpenAI may continue to refine controls and labels as the feature rolls out more widely.

For official details and updates, check OpenAI’s announcements: OpenAI.

Discussion: Would branched chats change how you use ChatGPT — for brainstorming, coding, or creative writing? What scenarios would you use branches for most?