macOS: Self-update removed Codex.app, official Codex download installs ChatGPT instead

@Mr-D-Joe
I managed to resolve it by doing a full clean reinstall of ChatGPT Desktop.

I completely removed the existing ChatGPT app from /Applications, removed the broken Dock icon, downloaded the latest macOS installer again, and installed it fresh.

After launching the newly installed ChatGPT Desktop and signing in again, the Work/Codex switcher appeared and Codex started working.

So in my case the issue was fixed only after deleting and reinstalling ChatGPT Desktop, not by updating in place.

Had the same issue. Resolved in the same way @cheechoo28 did.

[Window Title]
ChatGPT

[Main Instruction]
ChatGPT failed to start.

[Content]
  (code=126, signal=null).
Most recent error: <3>WSL (92251 - Relay) ERROR: CreateProcessCommon:790: chdir(/mnt/c/Program Files/WindowsApps/OpenAI.Codex_26.707.3563.0_x64__2p2nqsd0c76g0/app/resources) failed 5
/usr/bin/bash: line 1: /mnt/c/Users/[User]/.codex/bin/wsl/ccece0b549c5763e/codex: Input/output error
/usr/bin/bash: line 1: exec: /mnt/c/Users/[User]/.codex/bin/wsl/ccece0b549c5763e/codex: cannot execute: Input/output error

[Check for Updates] [Quit]

Worked as suggested by @cheechoo28

This was very unintuitive, I clicked update in Codex which uninstalled it, I already had ChatGPT Desktop installed which didn't surface any Codex functionality even after a restart, downloading Codex.dmg tried to install ChatGPT, Applications did surface ChatGPT and ChatGPT Classic but launching either didn't surface Codex.
I tried @cheechoo28 fix and uninstalled both ChatGPT versions then reinstalled and then I got the pop-up about Codex.
That shouldn't have been as hard as it was!

I am seeing a very similar issue on macOS.

Codex Desktop was working normally until yesterday. The app prompted me to update, I accepted the update, and Codex closed. After that, Codex no longer appears as an app in Spotlight.

When I search for "Codex" in Spotlight, I only see:

• previous ChatGPT conversations related to Codex
• a dictionary result for "códex"
• a local folder named "Codex"
• a local project folder named "OneBill_ID_Studio_Codex"

I have not reinstalled, deleted cache, removed local files, or modified ~/.codex yet because I want to avoid losing local projects, sessions, or conversation history.

My main concern is data preservation:

• local projects
• local Codex sessions
• previous threads/conversations
• app state

I can provide sanitized logs or safe diagnostic command outputs if useful, but I would prefer not to upload raw local state files or auth files publicly.

Environment:

• OS: macOS
• Platform: Mac
• Product: Codex Desktop app
• Update method: internal Codex self-update
• Version before update: unknown
• Version after update: unknown because the app no longer appears/opens

Additional diagnostic info:

Codex.app is no longer present in /Applications.

I now have two ChatGPT apps installed:

• /Applications/ChatGPT.app
• Bundle identifier: com.openai.chat
• Version: 1.2026.183

• /Applications/ChatGPT Classic.app
• Bundle identifier: com.openai.chat
• Version: 1.2026.160

Running:

find /Applications -maxdepth 2 -iname "*Codex*" 2>/dev/null

Codex Desktop session files still exist under ~/.codex/sessions.
The latest session references:

• originator: Codex Desktop
• cli_version: 0.142.5
• cwd: /Users/marco/Documents/web_OneBill
• timestamp: 2026-07-09T18:56:10Z

Additional finding:

In ChatGPT.app 1.2026.183, I checked Settings → Work with apps / "Trabajar con aplicaciones".

The app shows integrations for:

• VS Code / Code, requiring an extension
• Script Editor, requiring permissions
• Notes, requiring permissions
• Terminal, requiring permissions
• TextEdit, requiring permissions

However, this appears to be the general "work with apps" feature. It does not expose the previous Codex Desktop workspace, Codex sessions, or Codex project interface.

So the current state is:

• Codex.app is gone
• codex CLI is not found
• ChatGPT.app is installed
• ChatGPT.app has app integrations, but no visible Codex workspace
• local Codex data still exists under ~/.codex

Update Removed Codex.app, Broke CLI

See # Solution for the fix

Codex app
update removed codex completely

• two chatGPTs: ChatGPT Classic Version 1.2026.160 (1781312926) , ChatGPT Version 1.2026.183 (1783607847)
• sessions and other files seem still exist
• MacOS, Tahoe 26.5.1

Installed "codex" from here: https://openai.com/codex/.

• Opened the DMG -> has a highlighted/selected view ChatGPT icon, Titled ChatGPT, Above it says "Install ChatGPT" "Double Click the icon below". Also has a folder .background and an un-selected ChatGPT icon titled .VolumeIcon.icns

Doubleclicked the ChatGPT icon -> opens ChatGPT but no codex. Version 1.2026.183 (1783607847)

and from https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/app

• Downloaded as "Codex.dmg"
• Opened ChatGPT Version 1.2026.183 (1783607847)
• no Codex

Codex CLI

• ran codex from Terminal in a specific codex project.
• MacOS popup “codex” was not opened because it contains malware. This action did not harm your Mac.

Ran again:

Error: spawn /opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/@openai/codex/node_modules/@openai/codex-darwin-arm64/vendor/aarch64-apple-darwin/codex/codex ENOENT
    at ChildProcess._handle.onexit (node:internal/child_process:286:19)
    at onErrorNT (node:internal/child_process:507:16)
    at process.processTicksAndRejections (node:internal/process/task_queues:90:21) {
  errno: -2,
  code: 'ENOENT',
  syscall: 'spawn /opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/@openai/codex/node_modules/@openai/codex-darwin-arm64/vendor/aarch64-apple-darwin/codex/codex',
  path: '/opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/@openai/codex/node_modules/@openai/codex-darwin-arm64/vendor/aarch64-apple-darwin/codex/codex',
  spawnargs: []
}

Update / install codex cli

• Ran brew upgrade --cask codex
• Error: Cask 'codex' is not installed.

• Install via curl

curl -fsSL https://chatgpt.com/codex/install.sh | sh
==> Updating Codex CLI
==> Detected platform: macOS (Apple Silicon)
==> Resolved version: 0.144.1
==> Detected existing brew-managed Codex at /opt/homebrew/bin/codex
WARNING: Multiple managed Codex installs can be ambiguous because PATH order decides which one runs.
Uninstall the existing brew-managed Codex now? [y/N] y
==> Running: brew uninstall --cask codex
==> Current terminal: export PATH="/Users/m/.local/bin:$PATH" && codex
==> Future terminals: open a new terminal and run: codex
==> PATH is already configured in /Users/m/.zprofile
Codex CLI 0.144.1 installed successfully.
Start Codex now? [y/N] y
==> Launching Codex
 ```
 - Never launches -> returns to prompt

- install via homebrew

brew install --cask codex
==> Would install 1 cask:
codex
==> Would install 2 dependencies for codex:
ripgrep pcre2
==> Do you want to proceed with the installation? [y/n]
==> Fetching downloads for: codex

✔︎ Cask codex (0.144.1) Verified 98.3MB/ 98.3MB
==> Installing dependencies: pcre2, ripgrep
==> Fetching downloads for: pcre2 and ripgrep
✔︎ Bottle Manifest pcre2 (10.47_1) Downloaded 11.7KB/ 11.7KB
✔︎ Bottle Manifest ripgrep (15.1.0) Downloaded 8.8KB/ 8.8KB
✔︎ Bottle pcre2 (10.47_1) Downloaded 2.4MB/ 2.4MB
✔︎ Bottle ripgrep (15.1.0) Downloaded 2.2MB/ 2.2MB
==> Installing pcre2
==> Pouring pcre2--10.47_1.arm64_tahoe.bottle.tar.gz
🍺 /opt/homebrew/Cellar/pcre2/10.47_1: 244 files, 7.3MB
==> Installing ripgrep
==> Pouring ripgrep--15.1.0.arm64_tahoe.bottle.tar.gz
🍺 /opt/homebrew/Cellar/ripgrep/15.1.0: 14 files, 6.4MB
==> Installing Cask codex
==> Purging files for version 0.144.1 of Cask codex
Error: It seems there is already a Binary at '/opt/homebrew/bin/codex'.

 - received same error when trying to run codex in cli

**Uninstall codex - homebrew**

brew uninstall codex
Error: Cask 'codex' is not installed.
==> Autoremoving 2 unneeded formulae:
pcre2
ripgrep

# Solution

**Thanks Chatgpt ;)**

## Recommended recovery

We will preserve your Codex sessions and configuration, reinstall the desktop experience, and install the CLI independently.

### 1. Back up your Codex data

Do not delete `~/.codex`.

Run:

```bash id="l11c94"
backup_dir="$HOME/Desktop/codex-backup-$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M%S)"

mkdir -p "$backup_dir"

[ -d "$HOME/.codex" ] &&
  ditto "$HOME/.codex" "$backup_dir/.codex"

[ -d "$HOME/Library/Application Support/Codex" ] &&
  ditto "$HOME/Library/Application Support/Codex" \
        "$backup_dir/Application Support-Codex"

[ -d "$HOME/Library/Application Support/OpenAI/Codex" ] &&
  ditto "$HOME/Library/Application Support/OpenAI/Codex" \
        "$backup_dir/Application Support-OpenAI-Codex"

echo "Backup created at: $backup_dir"

Your app and CLI share session history and configuration, so preserving ~/.codex is important. OpenAI specifically states that the app picks up CLI session history and configuration. (openai.com)

2. Quit all existing OpenAI applications

```bash id="c5zj1f"
osascript -e 'quit app "ChatGPT"' 2>/dev/null || true
osascript -e 'quit app "ChatGPT Classic"' 2>/dev/null || true
osascript -e 'quit app "Codex"' 2>/dev/null || true

pkill -x ChatGPT 2>/dev/null || true
pkill -x Codex 2>/dev/null || true

### 3. Inspect what is currently installed

Run this before removing anything:

```bash id="1mhthz"
echo "=== Applications ==="
find /Applications "$HOME/Applications" \
  -maxdepth 2 \
  \( -iname "ChatGPT*.app" -o -iname "Codex*.app" \) \
  -print 2>/dev/null

echo
echo "=== CLI resolution ==="
command -v -a codex 2>/dev/null || echo "codex not found"

echo
echo "=== Homebrew ==="
brew list --formula 2>/dev/null | grep -E '^codex$' || true
brew list --cask 2>/dev/null | grep -E '^(codex|chatgpt)$' || true

echo
echo "=== npm ==="
npm list -g --depth=0 @openai/codex 2>/dev/null || true

echo
echo "=== Architecture ==="
uname -m

You should see arm64 on your Apple Silicon Mac.

4. Remove duplicate or broken desktop applications

This removes only application bundles. It does not remove ~/.codex, projects, repositories, or session files.

```bash id="3ps000"
sudo rm -rf \
"/Applications/Codex.app" \
"/Applications/ChatGPT.app" \
"/Applications/ChatGPT Classic.app"

rm -rf \
"$HOME/Applications/Codex.app" \
"$HOME/Applications/ChatGPT.app" \
"$HOME/Applications/ChatGPT Classic.app"

Then restart the Dock to clear stale application references:

```bash id="pu1o4v"
killall Dock

Do not remove these directories:

```text id="mwnymk"
~/.codex
~/Library/Application Support/Codex
~/Library/Application Support/OpenAI/Codex

### 5. Reinstall the desktop app

Download the current macOS installer from the official Codex or ChatGPT download page. It is expected to install `ChatGPT.app`, not a separate `Codex.app`.

After installation:

1. Move `ChatGPT.app` into `/Applications`.
2. Launch it directly from `/Applications`.
3. Sign in with the same ChatGPT Plus account.
4. Look for **Codex**, **Work**, or the workspace switcher.
5. Completely quit and reopen ChatGPT once after signing in.

OpenAI now describes Codex as available through the ChatGPT app, and the official Codex page currently presents it as “the same powerful coding agent, now in ChatGPT.” ([chatgpt.com](https://chatgpt.com/codex/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

## Install the CLI cleanly

I recommend using OpenAI’s current install script rather than Homebrew for this recovery. The repository lists it as the primary Mac and Linux installation method. ([github.com](https://github.com/openai/codex))

### 6. Remove conflicting CLI installations

```bash id="r6n0x4"
brew uninstall --cask codex 2>/dev/null || true
brew uninstall codex 2>/dev/null || true
npm uninstall -g @openai/codex 2>/dev/null || true

hash -r

Do not run brew autoremove again during this process.

7. Use the official CLI installer

For a security-conscious installation, download and inspect it before executing:

```bash id="18ytw0"
curl -fsSL https://chatgpt.com/codex/install.sh \
-o /tmp/codex-install.sh

less /tmp/codex-install.sh

After reviewing it:

```bash id="lna2qm"
sh /tmp/codex-install.sh

there were some more steps to address PATH issues, logins, etc. but it was not needed

Update: both applications are now working again.

I performed a clean reinstall using the download from the official Codex page. The installed application is named ChatGPT, but it uses the Codex icon and opens directly into the Codex-style interface.

I then updated the existing ChatGPT application separately. That application now continues to work as the classic ChatGPT desktop app, including GPT-5.6.

Current state:

• ChatGPT.app from the Codex download: Codex interface
• Updated ChatGPT desktop app: classic ChatGPT interface with GPT-5.6

So both experiences are available again, although having two applications with the same name is still confusing.

It’s not working:

• ChatGPT.app is installed.
• Running codex app downloads Codex.app, which appears to be the same app as ChatGPT.app.
• When Codex.app updates itself, it becomes ChatGPT.app.
• After that, running codex app starts downloading Codex.app again.