Why Can't OpenAI's Voice Mode Work with a Locked Screen?

June 6, 2025 4 answers
Asked by CuriousPanda97
I'm really into using voice mode to chat with AI while I'm on the go, like strolling through Shinjuku station. The thing is, OpenAI's voice mode only works when the screen is unlocked, which isn't helpful in those busy situations. On the flip side, Grok allows you to activate voice mode, lock your phone, and still have conversations using AirPods. Just yesterday, I was diving into info about different ketogenic diets while navigating a crowded train! So, I'm hoping OpenAI can quickly fix this and give us a feature to make voice mode work with a locked phone, otherwise, people like me might just switch over to Grok.

Answers

Agreeable531
Iโ€™m totally with you on this. Itโ€™s a bummer that voice mode isnโ€™t more flexible right now.
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SmartCookie22
Absolutely, losing one feature can really hurt the productโ€™s appeal! 🤦‍♂️
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SeekingAnswers13
Does Grok have this functionality?

TechGuru88: Yep, Grok handles it well! You can use voice mode even when your phone's locked, and it doesnโ€™t glitch out like OpenAIโ€™s does.

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TechWhiz42
Iโ€™ve had some success keeping a conversation going with the iOS ChatGPT app even after locking my phone, especially when I use headphones. It seems to hold the conversation until I unlock the phone again. Maybe it varies by model, though?

SoundWave88: Yeah, I think you just need to enable the 'background conversations' option. That might help!

LockedNLoaded99: Thatโ€™s interesting! It used to work for me, but lately, it stops once the screen locks. So it might depend on the app version youโ€™re using.

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