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How to use ChatGPT for beginners: your first 15 minutes

What it does for you: If you've been meaning to "try that ChatGPT thing" but don't know where to start, this gets you from zero to a useful answer in about 15 minutes. You'll get the real app (not a copycat), turn on two settings that protect you, and try three prompts that help with everyday stuff. It's free. Good to send to the person in your family who keeps asking "wait, how do I use ChatGPT?"

Minute 1–3: get the real ChatGPT

There are copycat apps with similar names and icons. Get the official one:

The app is free. If an app asks you to pay before you can even try it, you probably have the wrong one.

Minute 3–5: make an account

Sign up with your email address, or with your Google, Apple or Microsoft account if you already use one of those (OpenAI Help). Use an email address you own personally, not a work one (OpenAI Help). Tip: write down which way you signed up ("I used Continue with Google"). The most common login problem later is trying a different method than the one you used the first time.

You need to be at least 13, and teens need a parent's permission (OpenAI Terms of Use).

Minute 5–8: two settings worth turning on

Open Settings. On a computer, click your name or picture in the corner. On a phone, open the side menu and tap your profile picture.

1. Add a second lock to your account. Go to Security and login, then turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA). That means a code from your phone is needed to sign in, so a stolen password isn't enough (OpenAI Help). Text message codes are the simplest choice for most beginners. Keep that phone number up to date: if you lose every way to get the code, getting back in takes a support check that can take days.

2. Decide if your chats can train the AI. On the free plan, your chats can be used to improve OpenAI's models unless you say no. To say no, go to Data controls and turn off Improve the model for everyone. Your saved chats stay put (OpenAI Help). There's no wrong answer here, it's your choice.

Want to go further? Our post Is ChatGPT private? walks through locked chats and more settings.

Minute 8–15: try 3 prompts

Type (or paste) these into the message box at the bottom and press send. Change the parts in [brackets].

1. Tell it who you are, so answers fit you. This one makes every answer after it easier to read:

I'm new to ChatGPT and not a tech person. For the rest of this chat, use short sentences and plain words, give me the answer first, and keep it under 150 words unless I ask for more. Got it? Reply with one sentence.

2. Explain something that's been confusing you. A letter, a word your doctor used, a setting on your phone:

Explain [WHAT'S CONFUSING ME, e.g. "what a deductible is" / "what the cloud is on my phone"] like I'm 12. Then give me one real-life example and tell me the one thing most people get wrong about it.

3. Solve a small real problem today. Dinner is a good first test because you can check the answer with your own eyes:

I have [WHAT'S IN MY FRIDGE AND PANTRY]. Give me 2 easy dinner ideas for [NUMBER] people that take under 30 minutes. Short steps, normal kitchen tools only. Tell me if I'm missing anything important.

Now the most useful habit: don't start over if the answer isn't right. Just reply. Type "shorter," "simpler," "I don't have an oven," or "why?" and it fixes the answer. That back-and-forth is the whole trick. Our post on follow-up prompts when the AI gives a weak answer has more replies like these.

Ready for more? The free daily drills give you one small real task at a time. Good first ones: explain a tech term like I'm 12, turn a confusing letter into plain English and check a suspicious text for scam red flags.

Hate typing?

Tap the microphone or the sound-wave button and talk instead. Our ChatGPT Voice guide shows how, free plan included.

What not to paste into ChatGPT

If you need help with a letter or bill, cover or delete those parts first. The AI can still explain it.

Common mistakes

Honest limits

Want ready-made prompts?

The hardest part for beginners is knowing what to type. The Life Scripts Starter pack ($9) has 40 fill-in-the-blank prompts for money, work, health and home moments. Or keep practicing free with the daily drills.

Sources

Try next

Get one 5-minute AI drill every weekday

Free. Short. Exactly what to type.

Want ready-made scripts? Four packs of 40 copy-paste AI scripts, $9 each: Life Scripts Starter (everyday life), Job Hunt Scripts, Family & Home Scripts, and Bills & Paperwork Scripts. Or get all four packs (160 scripts) in the All-Access Bundle ($24). Compare the packs.