OpenAI has rolled out a significant update to the ChatGPT Android app, introducing an “Extended Thinking” mode aimed at enhancing performance for power users. The feature is currently available to ChatGPT Plus subscribers on Android devices.
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According to a report by Bleeping Computer, the update allows users to manually select between Auto, Instant, or Thinking modes while interacting with the AI. Previously, the Android app defaulted to a standard thinking mode that relied on lower computing power, limiting the depth of responses to complex queries.
With the introduction of Extended Thinking, the mobile experience now closely mirrors the desktop version of ChatGPT. This mode gives the AI more time and resources to process prompts, resulting in more detailed, accurate, and context-aware responses, particularly for analytical or multi-step tasks.
Users can enable the feature by updating to the latest version of the ChatGPT Android app and accessing the relevant options within chat settings. As of now, the Extended Thinking toggle has not appeared on the iOS version of the app, suggesting a staggered rollout across platforms.
In addition to enhanced reasoning controls, the update introduces a new formatting block for emails and documents generated by ChatGPT. This feature allows users to directly edit AI-generated text within a dedicated block, removing the need to regenerate entire responses for minor changes and improving productivity for professional use.
The Android update comes at the end of a busy year for OpenAI, which saw the launch of GPT-5.2 and new image-generation capabilities within ChatGPT. These releases followed intensified competition from rivals, including Google’s Gemini 3, which gained traction in late 2025.
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By bringing desktop-level features to mobile devices, OpenAI aims to retain its power-user base and position ChatGPT as a reliable, on-the-go assistant for advanced tasks. The company’s focus on performance parity across platforms reflects a broader strategy to strengthen user engagement amid a rapidly evolving AI landscape.