How to avoid the wrong AI app (App Store & Play)
Spot fake ChatGPT and AI apps before you download. Official links for ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and Claude — beginner-safe first steps.
Quick answer: Before you install an AI app, check the developer name under the app title. Real ChatGPT is made by OpenAI, Gemini by Google, Copilot by Microsoft, and Claude by Anthropic. Any other name is a lookalike. Safest of all, open the official website in your browser first (chatgpt.com, gemini.google.com, copilot.microsoft.com, or claude.ai) and use its free version before paying for anything.
There are real AI tools — and a lot of lookalikes that waste your time or worse. Here is how to pick the right ones and avoid common traps.
The real apps (free tiers available)
| App | URL | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | chatgpt.com | Writing, explaining, brainstorming |
| Gemini | gemini.google.com | Research and summaries |
| Copilot | copilot.microsoft.com | Built into Edge and Office |
| Claude | claude.ai | Long documents and careful tone |
Red flags of fake AI apps
- Asks for payment before you have tried anything
- Named "ChatGPT Pro" or "GPT-5" in an app store — only OpenAI makes ChatGPT
- Requests access to your contacts, photos, or microphone for no clear reason
- Has almost no reviews, or many reviews that sound copied-and-pasted
- Sends you to a login page that does not match the official domain
For a deeper guide to fake ChatGPT apps in the App Store and Google Play, see How to spot fake ChatGPT apps in the App Store and Google Play.
App Store and Play Store lookalikes
Phone stores are where many people meet fake ChatGPT apps:
- Check the publisher. For ChatGPT, the developer should be OpenAI. Any other name is a lookalike.
- Prefer the browser first. Open chatgpt.com (or the real Gemini / Copilot / Claude URL) before you install anything.
- Skip paywalls before try. The real tools have free tiers. Demanding a subscription before one message is a red flag.
- Watch permissions. A chat app should not need your contacts or photos just to answer text.
- If something already feels wrong, use our Scam Red-Flag Checklist and read how to spot fake AI support scams.
Quick safety check
- Type the company name directly into your browser rather than clicking ads
- Check the URL ends in the real domain (e.g., chatgpt.com, google.com, microsoft.com)
- Use the free tier first — do not upgrade until you know the tool helps you
- Do not enter passwords, SSNs, or bank details into any AI chat
Want a printable version? Try our Scam Red-Flag Checklist.
What to try first
Pick one tool. Ask it something simple and personal, like:
"Rewrite this email so it sounds polite but firm: [paste your text]"
If the answer is useful, you are in the right place. If not, try a different tool — no account lock-in needed.
Already installed the wrong app?
Don't panic. Most lookalike apps just waste time or money. Here is what to do:
- Cancel any subscription first. Deleting the app does not stop payments. On iPhone, go to Settings → your name → Subscriptions. On Android, open the Play Store → profile icon → Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions.
- Delete the app from your phone.
- Ask for a refund if you were charged. Apple and Google both have refund request pages in their help centers.
- Change your password if you typed one into the app, especially if you reuse it elsewhere.
- Install the real one using the developer names above, or simply use the website.
Even in the real app, keep passwords, codes, and ID numbers out of your chats. See what not to share with ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot.
When you are ready to create an account, see how to sign up for ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot safely.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a ChatGPT app is real?
Check the developer name under the app title. The real ChatGPT app is made by OpenAI. If it says anything else, it is not the official app.
Is it safer to use the website than the app?
For most beginners, yes. Typing chatgpt.com, gemini.google.com, copilot.microsoft.com, or claude.ai directly into your browser avoids lookalike apps altogether.
Do I have to pay to use ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot?
No. All of them have free versions. An app that asks you to pay before you can send a single message is a red flag.
I paid for a fake AI app. What should I do?
Cancel the subscription in your phone's settings first, because deleting the app does not stop the charges. Then delete the app and request a refund through Apple or Google.