AI assistant FAQ: ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini

Open the official ChatGPT site or install the official app, create an account (or sign in with a supported provider) and type a request into the message box. Start with something small, such as asking it to explain a topic you already know, so you can judge the answer. Keep one topic per chat and begin a new chat when you change subject. The step-by-step version, with example prompts you can copy, is in the ChatGPT section of the guide.

ChatGPT has offered a free level alongside paid plans, but what each includes (models, message limits, file tools, voice and search) changes often. As a rule, the free level is enough to learn the basics and decide whether you like it, while paid plans raise limits and add tools. Check the plans page on the official site for current details, and try your own tasks on the free level before paying for anything.

Yes. There are official apps for iPhone and Android, and the website also works in a phone browser. Install the app only from your phone’s official app store and check the publisher name, because copycat apps exist. When you are signed in to the same account, you can usually continue chats across devices. Voice features, if you want them, are normally found in the app.

It depends on your plan and your settings, so check rather than assume. Settings include a data controls area where you can see whether your conversations may be used to improve the service, and you can usually change that choice. Work or school accounts follow the organisation’s agreement, which can differ from a personal account. For the exact wording, read OpenAI’s privacy policy and help pages.

You can usually delete a single chat from the chat list (look for a menu next to the chat name) or manage your history from Settings. Some versions also offer a temporary chat mode that is meant not to keep the conversation in your history in the usual way. Deleting a chat in the app is not the same as every copy ceasing to exist everywhere, so read the provider’s retention policy if that matters to you.

Give it four things: a goal, some context, the format you want and any limits. Instead of “Write about healthy eating”, ask for “a 150-word introduction for busy office workers, with one practical tip and no medical claims”. If the first reply is off target, say what to change rather than starting again, for example “Shorter, friendlier, and add an example.” You can also paste a sample of the style you want and ask it to match it.

ChatGPT produces the most likely helpful-sounding reply, not a verified one, so it can state something wrong with confidence, including sources, quotes and numbers that do not exist. This is often called a hallucination. You can reduce the risk by giving it the source text to work from, asking it to say when it is unsure, and checking anything important at the original source. For health, money or legal questions, use it to prepare questions rather than as your final answer.

Depending on your plan and the current version, ChatGPT may let you upload documents and images and ask questions about them. Supported file types and size limits vary. Remember that an uploaded file’s contents are shared with the service, so remove anything confidential first, and always compare the answer with the original file, especially numbers and quotes.

Usage limits can apply by plan, by time period or when demand is high, and the exact numbers change. If you hit one, wait and try again later, start a new chat if the current one is very long, or check your plan. If replies stop or an error appears, refresh the page, check your connection and look at the provider’s status page before changing settings. If a message fails, resend a shorter version.

Open the official Claude site or install the official app, create an account (or sign in with a supported provider) and type a request into the message box. Start with something small, such as asking it to explain a topic you already know, so you can judge the answer. Keep one topic per chat and begin a new chat when you change subject. The step-by-step version, with example prompts you can copy, is in the Claude section of the guide.

Claude has offered a free level alongside paid plans, but what each includes (message limits, file size, extra features) changes often. As a rule, the free level is enough to learn the basics and decide whether you like it, while paid plans raise limits and add features. Check the plans page on the official site for current details, and try your own tasks on the free level before paying for anything.

Yes. There are official apps for iPhone and Android, and the website also works in a phone browser. Install the app only from your phone’s official app store and check the publisher name, because copycat apps exist. When you are signed in to the same account, you can usually continue chats across devices. A desktop app is also available.

It depends on your plan and your settings, so check rather than assume. Settings include a privacy area where you can see how your conversations may be used, and you can usually change that choice. Work or school accounts follow the organisation’s agreement, which can differ from a personal account. For the exact wording, read Anthropic’s privacy policy and help pages.

You can usually delete a single chat from the chat list (look for a menu next to the chat name) or manage your history from Settings. Some versions also offer a private or incognito chat mode that is meant not to keep the conversation in your history in the usual way. Deleting a chat in the app is not the same as every copy ceasing to exist everywhere, so read the provider’s retention policy if that matters to you.

Give it four things: a goal, some context, the format you want and any limits. Instead of “Help me with my CV”, say “I am applying for an entry-level marketing role. Suggest three improvements to the summary section only, each with a short reason.” If the first reply is off target, say what to change rather than starting again. You can also paste an example of the style you want and ask it to match it.

Claude produces the most likely helpful-sounding reply, not a verified one, so it can state something wrong with confidence, including sources, quotes and numbers that do not exist. This is often called a hallucination. You can reduce the risk by giving it the source text to work from, asking it to say when it is unsure, and checking anything important at the original source. For health, money or legal questions, use it to prepare questions rather than as your final answer.

Depending on your plan and the current version, Claude may let you upload documents and images and ask questions about them. Supported file types and size limits vary. Remember that an uploaded file’s contents are shared with the service, so remove anything confidential first, and always compare the answer with the original file, especially numbers and quotes.

Usage limits can apply by plan, by time period or when demand is high, and the exact numbers change. If you hit one, wait and try again later, start a new chat if the current one is very long, or check your plan. If replies stop or an error appears, refresh the page, check your connection and look at the provider’s status page before changing settings. If a message fails, resend a shorter version.

Open the official Gemini site or use the official Gemini or Google app on your phone, sign in with a Google account and type a request into the message box. Start with something small, such as asking it to explain a topic you already know, so you can judge the answer. Keep one topic per chat and begin a new chat when you change subject. The step-by-step version, with example prompts you can copy, is in the Gemini section of the guide.

Gemini has offered a free level alongside paid plans, but what each includes (limits, extra tools, connections to other Google services) changes often. As a rule, the free level is enough to learn the basics and decide whether you like it, while paid plans raise limits and add tools. Check the plans page on the official site for current details, and try your own tasks on the free level before paying for anything.

Yes. Gemini is available through an official app and through the Google app on supported phones, and the website also works in a phone browser. Install apps only from your phone’s official app store and check the publisher name, because copycat apps exist. When you are signed in to the same Google account, you can usually continue chats across devices.

It depends on your account and your settings, so check rather than assume. Your Google account has activity controls for Gemini where you can see whether conversations are saved and how they may be used, and you can usually change that choice. Work or school accounts follow the organisation’s agreement, which can differ from a personal account. For the exact wording, read Google’s privacy information for Gemini.

You can usually delete a single chat from the chat list (look for a menu next to the chat name) or review and delete saved activity from your Google account’s activity controls. Some versions also let you turn saving off or chat without saving. If you have connected Gemini to other Google apps, also check what that connection can see and switch off the ones you do not need.

Give it four things: a goal, some context, the format you want and any limits. Instead of “Plan my study”, say “I have an exam in three weeks and can study two hours on weekdays. Make a day-by-day plan for six topics, with a review day each Sunday.” If the first reply is off target, say what to change rather than starting again. You can also paste an example of the style you want and ask it to match it.

Gemini produces the most likely helpful-sounding reply, not a verified one, so it can state something wrong with confidence, including sources, quotes and numbers that do not exist. This is often called a hallucination. You can reduce the risk by giving it the source text to work from, asking it to say when it is unsure, and checking anything important at the original source. For health, money or legal questions, use it to prepare questions rather than as your final answer.

Depending on your account and the current version, Gemini may let you upload documents and images and ask questions about them, and it may be able to work with files in your Google Drive if you allow that. Supported file types and size limits vary. Remember that the contents you share go to the service, so remove anything confidential first, and compare the answer with the original, especially numbers and quotes.

Usage limits can apply by plan, by time period or when demand is high, and the exact numbers change. If you hit one, wait and try again later, start a new chat if the current one is very long, or check your plan. If replies stop or an error appears, refresh the page, check your connection and look at the provider’s status page before changing settings. If a message fails, resend a shorter version.