# OpenAI says Apple ChatGPT integration underperformed as AI partnership frays

Digest AI · Business & Funding · published 2026-09-23T15:10:00Z · updated 2026-09-23T23:10:53Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/openai-says-apple-chatgpt-integration-underperformed-as-ai-partnership

## Summary

OpenAI’s court filing, cited by the Financial Times, states that the ChatGPT feature embedded in iPhones after the 2024 Apple Intelligence launch generated far less user engagement than the company had forecast. The filing notes that within a month of launch OpenAI lowered its weekly active‑user projections and, by the summer of 2025, deemed the integration dramatically underperforming. A key reason identified is that the ChatGPT option is switched off by default, requiring iPhone users to enable it through a multistep process.

The weak uptake is linked to a deteriorating relationship between the two firms. Apple filed a trade‑secrets lawsuit against OpenAI in July, accusing large‑scale theft, while litigation involving Elon Musk’s xAI on antitrust grounds also references the partnership. Apple has meanwhile introduced a Google‑powered Siri AI for English beta users and delayed the EU Siri rollout, citing competition rules, adding further pressure on its AI strategy and investor confidence.

## Key points

- OpenAI’s filing says Apple’s ChatGPT integration delivered far less engagement than expected after the 2024 Apple Intelligence launch.
- The feature is off by default, requiring a multistep enable process, which the filing cites as a cause of weak uptake.
- Underperformance coincides with Apple’s July trade‑secrets lawsuit against OpenAI and ongoing xAI antitrust litigation.

## Why it matters

The faltering Apple‑OpenAI tie‑up highlights risks for large‑scale AI platform deals and may reshape how major tech firms embed generative models.

## Sources

1. [OpenAI says Apple ChatGPT integration underperformed as AI partnership frays](https://tradersunion.com/news/financial-news/show/3464751-openai-apple-chatgpt-deal-underperforms) (tradersunion.com, 2026-09-23)
2. [Court docs: OpenAI says Apple's ChatGPT integration to power Apple Intelligence on iPhones "dramatically underperformed" after it launched in 2024](https://ft.com/content/256c4b36-a6c8-49ee-aa15-81cb089b2ced) (ft.com, 2026-09-23)
3. [OpenAI says Apple Intelligence users showed little interest in ChatGPT integration](https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/23/openai-says-apple-intelligence-users-showed-little-interest-in-chatgpt-integration) (9to5mac.com, 2026-09-23)

## Cite

Digest AI, "OpenAI says Apple ChatGPT integration underperformed as AI partnership frays", 23 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/openai-says-apple-chatgpt-integration-underperformed-as-ai-partnership

---

Written by Digest AI's editorial model from the linked sources; the sources are the record. Headlines, digests and key points are written by Digest AI and may be quoted with a link to the story page. Linked articles belong to their publishers. Terms: https://digestai.news/terms#reuse
JSON: https://digestai.news/story/openai-says-apple-chatgpt-integration-underperformed-as-ai-partnership.json