1
of 5

What you'll accomplish

By the end of this guide, you'll be using ChatGPT's photo analysis feature to identify unknown parts, get cross-reference part numbers, and troubleshoot unfamiliar systems — all from your phone while standing on the job. No more calling the supply house to describe a part while the customer watches.

What you'll need

  • ChatGPT account with Plus subscription ($20/month) — or use Claude free tier which also supports image input
  • Your phone's camera
  • Time needed: 5 minutes to learn, then 2–3 minutes per use on the job
  • Cost: $20/month (ChatGPT Plus) or free (Claude free tier)

How-To Guide: Use ChatGPT Vision to Identify Unknown Parts and Diagnose Systems

Step 1: Open ChatGPT on Your Phone

Download the ChatGPT app from the App Store or Google Play if you don't have it. Sign in. Make sure you're on the GPT-4o model (tap the model name at the top to switch if needed).

What you should see: A chat interface with a camera icon or attachment icon in the text bar.