Apple Introduces ChatGPT Usage Cap in iOS 18.2 to Encourage ChatGPT Plus Subscriptions

In the beta release, Apple has integrated ChatGPT into Siri, enabling it to handle more complex queries. The collaboration between OpenAI and Apple hasn't directly monetized through AI or model usage fees for OpenAI.

Instead, AI service providers collaborating with Apple receive promotional benefits for their products and assistance from Apple in guiding users to subscribe. Apple takes a 30% cut from each transaction done through In-App Purchases (IAP).

With the latest iOS 18.2 Beta 2 version, an anticipated improvement from OpenAI has been introduced: a new ChatGPT Extension option in the system settings, showing users their daily usage quota.

For users without a subscription, the daily quota is lower, but iOS doesn't directly show the remaining quota. Instead, it guides users to upgrade to the ChatGPT Plus subscription, priced at $19.99 per month.

It's important to note that even with a subscription, there's a daily quota limit on some models, but subscribers can ask more questions daily with ChatGPT, avoiding the quota cap that requires waiting for a reset the next day.

Since the new Siri integrates ChatGPT for answering complex questions, users reaching their daily quota will also be limited when asking questions through Siri, ultimately encouraging them to subscribe. This way, OpenAI also benefits financially.

Apple plans to integrate other AI service providers into iOS in the future, including Google's Gemini model. Initially, Apple aims to use the best models or services in the industry, thus starting with OpenAI.