Tuesday, December 23, 2025

ChatGPT Branched Chats Arrive on Mobile

ChatGPT Branched Chats Arrive on Mobile

ChatGPT’s new Branched Chats on mobile let you split a conversation at any point and explore multiple directions without losing your original thread. For anyone who thinks in drafts, alternatives, or parallel ideas, this quietly changes how productive mobile AI can be.

Byline: By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor
December 23, 2025


ChatGPT
Have you ever asked ChatGPT a follow-up question and immediately regretted it because the entire conversation veered off course? 

On desktop, you could recover by scrolling or copying.

 On mobile, that detour often meant starting over. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Branched Chats in ChatGPT mobile apps.

That friction is exactly what ChatGPT’s new Branched Chats feature is designed to remove.

ChatGPT Branched Chats

Feature Explanation

Branched Chats allow you to fork a conversation at a specific message and continue in a new direction while preserving the original path. 

Think of it as version control for your prompts. 

You can explore alternatives, test ideas, or refine answers without overwriting prior context.

On mobile, this matters more than it sounds. 

Small screens encourage linear thinking. 

Branched Chats introduce structured divergence, which is how real problem-solving actually works.

Why it matters:
  • You keep context intact.
  • You avoid re-prompting or duplicating work.
  • You can compare outcomes side by side later.

What You’ll Gain
  • Explore multiple answers without losing your original thread.
  • Reduce prompt rewriting and rework.
  • Keep complex thinking organized on a phone.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

iOS
  1. Open the ChatGPT app and navigate to an existing conversation.
  2. Tap the ... menu at the end of the chat.
  3. Select "Branch in new chat" from the menu.
  4. Enter your new prompt and continue the conversation in that branch.
Branch ChatGPT Chats Example

fig. 1 - Branch ChatGPT Chats Example

Android
  1. Open the ChatGPT app and navigate to a ChatGPT conversation.
  2. Tap and hold a message you want to branch from.
  3. Choose Branch conversation.
  4. Type your new prompt and continue independently.

Web (Existing feature)
  1. Open chat.openai.com and select an existing conversation.
  2. Click the “…” menu.
  3. Select "Branch in new chat" in new chat.
  4. A new conversation opens starting from that message.
  5. Continue prompting independently of the original thread.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Keeps exploratory thinking organized for business and research use.
  • Saves time by avoiding repeated setup prompts.
  • Ideal for drafting, planning, and scenario testing.

Cons
  • Branches can multiply quickly if unmanaged.
  • Discoverability is still subtle for new users.
  • Web experience may lag mobile initially.

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Feature Access
  • Who: ChatGPT mobile app users.
  • Platforms: iOS and Android.
  • Status: Currently rolling out.
  • Subscription: Availability may vary by plan.
  • Regions: Global rollout expected, timing may differ.

Score

Criterion Score (0–10) Justification

Value 9
Eliminates friction in exploratory thinking, especially on mobile.

Usability 8
Intuitive once discovered, but still a bit hidden.

Wow Factor 7
Subtle feature with outsized impact rather than flash.

Total: 24/30  👍 Good
A practical, professional-grade upgrade that quietly fixes one of mobile ChatGPT’s biggest weaknesses, similar in spirit to document version history but applied to conversations.

Key Takeaways

Branched Chats bring structured thinking to mobile AI. 

You can explore ideas freely without sacrificing clarity or context. Once you start using it, linear chats feel limiting.

Cool Tip Snapshot
  • Feature Name: Branched Chats
  • Platform(s): iOS, Android
  • Quick Benefit: Explore multiple conversation paths without losing context
  • Access Type: Rolling out, plan-dependent

Try It Yourself

Open a recent ChatGPT conversation on your phone, branch it at a key moment, and explore an alternative direction. 

Share how you use branches in the comments, subscribe to the One Cool Tip newsletter, and pass this Cool Tip along to your team, family, and friends.


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Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.



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