#Pairing Codex with the ChatGPT app

When you start a Codex chatspace, it signs in and starts running right away — but it won't show up in your ChatGPT app until you pair it once. This is a security step OpenAI requires: being signed into the same ChatGPT account isn't enough, you have to explicitly link this phone to this chatspace.

It's a one-time thing per chatspace. Once paired, that chatspace stays paired — resuming it later never asks again.

Why can't it be automatic? A paired device can run commands on the machine, so OpenAI requires an explicit, per-device confirmation. There's no "trust all my devices" shortcut.

#Before you start

In the chatspace, you'll see a "Link this device to ChatGPT" card with a pairing code (like Y6JJ-DEKE). Keep it handy — tapping the code copies it. The code refreshes itself if it sits too long, so always copy the one currently on screen.

#Step by step

  1. In the chatspace, tap Copy code & open ChatGPT (this copies the code and switches to the ChatGPT app).
  2. In the ChatGPT app, open Codex.
  3. Tap the ⋯ (more) menu → Settings.
  4. Tap + Add connection → Pair a new device.
  5. Tap "Pair manually instead" (the default is QR-scanning, which you can't do on the same phone).
  6. Paste the code and tap Pair.

That's it. Back in Chatspaces, the pairing card disappears on its own and turns into Open in Codex — your chatspace is now in your ChatGPT app's device list.

#Tips & troubleshooting

  • The code expired. No problem — Chatspaces mints a fresh one automatically. Just copy the code currently shown and use that.
  • "Open ChatGPT" dropped me on the wrong screen. The deep link only switches apps; it can't jump straight to the pairing screen. Follow steps 2–6 from wherever the app lands.
  • It's asking me to scan a QR code. You're on the QR screen — tap "Pair manually instead" to get the code field.
  • Every new chatspace asks me to pair again. That's expected — pairing is per chatspace. Resuming an existing one does not re-pair.
  • Still not showing up? Make sure the ChatGPT app is signed into the same account you're using for Codex in Chatspaces, and that both the ChatGPT app and Codex are up to date.

See also: Signing in to Claude & Codex and Driving from the apps.

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