OpenAI refines Codex iOS experience with turn‑completion alerts, new commands, and bug fixes

Platform update

OpenAI released a maintenance update for the Codex integration inside the ChatGPT iOS app. The patch resolves the Sign in with Apple issue that previously displayed a Google login screen, preventing many users from activating Codex on their iPhone or iPad. The fix is live as of the May 21 2026 build (version 2.3.4). In addition, the update adds push‑notification support for turn completion, so the device can alert you when a background task on Codex for Mac finishes or requires input.

The update also expands the command set. The /fork command is now available, letting you duplicate a running workflow into a new branch. OpenAI has hinted that /side – a command that creates a parallel side‑task – will arrive in the next weekly release.

Developer impact

Sign‑in bug resolution

If your OpenAI account relies on Apple ID authentication, you may have seen a Google sign‑in prompt when trying to enable Codex. The bug stemmed from a mis‑routed OAuth flow that treated the Apple token as a Google credential. The new build correctly routes the token, so you can link Codex without leaving the iOS app. No code changes are required on your side; simply sign out and back in, then re‑enable Codex in Settings → Extensions.

Turn‑completion alerts

Push notifications are delivered through the standard iOS notification framework. When a Codex task on the companion Mac reaches a terminal state (success, error, or user‑prompt), a silent background message is sent to the paired iOS device. The app then posts a local notification that includes:

• The task name
• A brief status summary
• An action button that opens the ChatGPT conversation at the relevant turn

This works even when the iOS app is in the background, allowing you to keep your hands on other work while Codex runs long‑running scripts, builds, or data‑processing jobs.

New slash commands

The /fork command mirrors the desktop behavior where a running plan can be cloned into a new branch for experimentation. Internally, the command sends a POST /v1/codex/fork request to OpenAI’s backend, which creates a new session ID and returns a fresh conversation thread. The upcoming /side command will create a sibling session that shares the same context but can diverge independently, useful for A/B testing prompts.

Developers building custom extensions should note the updated command schema in the Codex API reference. The schema now includes a branch_id field for both /fork and /side.

Migration guide

1. Update the app – Open the App Store, go to Updates, and install ChatGPT 2.3.4 or later.
2. Refresh authentication – In the ChatGPT app, tap your avatar → Settings → Sign Out. Sign back in using Sign in with Apple.
3. Enable Codex – Settings → Extensions → Codex → Toggle On.
4. Allow notifications – When prompted, grant permission for “ChatGPT – Codex alerts”. You can also enable this later in Settings → Notifications.
5. Test the new commands – Open a new conversation, type /fork and press Send. You should see a confirmation message and a new thread appears in the sidebar.
6. Monitor for upcoming features – OpenAI publishes Thursday releases on a regular cadence. Keep an eye on the OpenAI changelog for the /side rollout and any desktop‑only enhancements that may later sync to iOS.

Looking ahead

OpenAI’s Thursday release rhythm suggests more desktop‑only capabilities – such as multi‑window support and deeper OS integration – will eventually surface on iOS. For teams that rely on Codex for automation, the push‑notification feature alone reduces the need to keep a Mac screen in view, freeing up real estate on dual‑monitor setups.

Developers should also consider the new Codex subscription tier announced alongside GPT‑5.5. The tier unlocks higher‑throughput API calls and priority access to upcoming command extensions. Details are available in the OpenAI pricing page.

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*For the full Codex for Mac download, visit the official Mac app page. The ChatGPT iOS app can be found on the App Store.*