OpenAI to Apple macOS users: Update ChatGPT, Codex and its other apps before May 8 or lose access

If you use any OpenAI apps on your Mac, here's something you don't want to ignore. OpenAI is requiring all macOS users to update ChatGPT Desktop, Codex, Codex CLI, and Atlas before May 8, 2026—after which unupdated versions will stop working entirely.

The reason? A compromised third-party JavaScript library called Axios. On March 31, a hacker gained access to the lead maintainer's computer through a social engineering attack, then used that foothold to push malicious updates to versions v1.14.1 and v0.30.4 of the library—complete with a remote access trojan. The bad versions were live for about three hours before being pulled.

OpenAI says it found no evidence that user data, systems, or source code was touched. Still, the company rotated its macOS code-signing certificates as a precaution—which is what's forcing the update.

Why your ChatGPT app will break without the update

Code-signing certificates are essentially what tells your Mac an app is legitimately from the developer it claims to be from. By replacing the old certificate, OpenAI closes off any slim possibility of a fake app impersonating the real thing. The catch: apps built with the old certificate eventually get cut off.

iOS, Android, and Windows users are unaffected—this one's Mac-only.

To update, head to OpenAI's announcement page for direct download links to all four apps. The deadline is May 8. You don't need to reset your password or rotate any API keys—just update the apps and you're good.