How to Connect an MCP Server to ChatGPT — Complete Guide 2026
ChatGPT supports MCP connectors via Developer Mode. Step-by-step guide to connecting any remote MCP server to ChatGPT, including required plans and limitations.
Since 2025, ChatGPT supports MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers via its Developer Mode. This feature allows any Plus or Pro user to connect external tools directly into their conversations — no code, no local installation required.
This guide explains how, step by step.
What you need
Before you start, check two things:
1. A compatible ChatGPT plan
| Plan | MCP access | Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| Free | ✗ | No custom connectors |
| Plus / Pro | ✓ | Read-only tools |
| Business / Enterprise | ✓ | Read + write actions |
If you are on the free plan, custom MCP connectors are not available. An upgrade to Plus is required.
2. Your MCP server URL
Your MCP server must be publicly accessible via HTTPS. Local servers (localhost) will not work. The protocol must be Streamable HTTP or SSE — not stdio.
Step 1 — Open ChatGPT settings
Log in at chatgpt.com and click your avatar in the bottom left, then Settings.
Step 2 — Go to the Connectors section
In the settings menu, find the Connectors section (or "Apps & connectors" depending on your interface version).
Step 3 — Enable Developer Mode
At the bottom of the Connectors page, click Advanced, then toggle Developer mode on.
Once enabled, an "Add custom connector" (or "Create app") button appears in the interface.
Step 4 — Add your MCP server
Click "Add custom connector" and fill in:
- Connector name — a readable name, for example "AIO Therapeutic"
- URL — the HTTPS URL of your MCP server
For authentication, ChatGPT supports:
- None (public server)
- OAuth (full authentication flow)
Static Bearer tokens are not natively supported via the interface — if your server requires one, check with your provider about OAuth configuration.
Click Save to confirm.
Step 5 — Use the connector in a conversation
Once configured, open a new chat. To activate the connector:
- Click the "+" icon or the tools menu at the bottom of the input area
- Select Developer mode
- Choose your connector from the list
Write your message normally. If the connector exposes tools, ChatGPT will use them when the request is relevant.
Limitations to know
Plus and Pro plans: read-only On these plans, write tools (tools that modify data) are silently disabled. Only read functions work. For write actions, a Business or Enterprise plan is required.
User confirmation for write actions On Business/Enterprise plans, write actions trigger an explicit confirmation request before execution — ChatGPT does not modify data without your approval.
HTTPS server required
No exceptions: the URL must start with https://. A local or plain HTTP server will be rejected.
Concrete example: connecting AIO Évolution to ChatGPT
AIO Évolution is a therapeutic MCP server compatible with ChatGPT (Plus/Pro plans minimum). It exposes the Brain AIO tools and symbolic draws from the All In One Method.
The connection follows exactly the steps above. Once connected, you can use the same introspection tools in ChatGPT as in Claude — with ChatGPT's direct and structuring personality as the interpreter.
For AIO-specific details, see our installation guide with screenshots.
Troubleshooting common issues
I can't see the Developer Mode option → Check that you are on a Plus, Pro, Business or Enterprise plan. Developer Mode is not available on the Free plan.
The connector appears but tools don't respond → Check that your MCP server is accessible from the internet (not a local server). Test the URL directly in a browser.
Write tools are greyed out → Expected on Plus/Pro. Write actions require a Business or Enterprise plan.
Authentication fails → Check the OAuth configuration with your MCP server provider. ChatGPT does not support static Bearer tokens in direct configuration.
Looking for a ready-to-use MCP server with no technical configuration? AIO Évolution is compatible with ChatGPT from sign-up — explore the plans.