OpenAI just killed the invite code requirement for Sora 2. Well, sort of.
If you live in the US, Canada, Japan or South Korea, you can now download the app and start creating AI videos immediately. No waiting list. No begging friends for codes. Just download and go.
But there’s a catch. OpenAI calls this “limited time only” access. So if you’ve been curious about their AI video platform, now’s your window.
What Makes Sora 2 Different
Sora isn’t just another AI tool. It’s a full social media platform where every video is AI-generated.
Think TikTok meets Midjourney. No influencers. No ads. No real footage. Just pure AI-generated content that users create and share.
Plus, it’s the first major social platform built entirely around AI creation. That’s either fascinating or terrifying, depending on your perspective.
Download Sora 2 Without a Code
The process is surprisingly simple for supported regions.
First, grab the app from the Apple App Store. Look for the navy and white cloud icon. Several fake Sora apps exist, so double-check you’re downloading the official one.
Then, sign in with your existing ChatGPT account credentials. Same login, same password. If you use ChatGPT, you already have access.
That’s it. You’re in. Start browsing the feed, creating videos, or exploring what others have made.
However, this only works if you’re physically located in the US, Canada, Japan or South Korea. OpenAI checks your location, not just your account settings.
Getting Access From Other Countries
Outside those four countries? You’ll need an invite code still.
OpenAI prioritizes ChatGPT Plus subscribers for codes. So if you’re already paying for ChatGPT, you’ll likely get access faster.
To join the waitlist, download the app anyway. Log in with your ChatGPT account. Then tap “Notify me when access opens” and enable push notifications.
OpenAI promises to expand access quickly. But “quickly” in tech company time could mean weeks or months.
The Discord Shortcut
Impatient? Discord offers a faster route.
Join the official OpenAI Discord server. You’ll need to create a Discord account if you don’t have one. Then link your ChatGPT account to your Discord profile.
Fair warning. This linking process takes time. In my testing, it took about 15 hours before OpenAI verified my accounts and granted server access.
Once you’re in, navigate to the “#sora-2-codes” channel. Post politely asking if anyone has spare invite codes. Many early users receive four extra codes to share with friends.
But follow the rules. Don’t offer to buy or sell codes. OpenAI explicitly prohibits this, and you risk getting banned.
Android Users Get the Short End
Apple users get the native app experience. Android users? Not so much.
No Android app exists yet. Instead, Android users must generate videos through the Sora.com website. You’ll need an invite code even if you’re in a supported country.
The web interface works fine for creating videos. But you miss out on the social feed and discovery features that make Sora interesting as a platform.
OpenAI hasn’t announced Android app plans. So Android users might be stuck with the browser version indefinitely.
What You Get With Sora Access
Once inside, you can immediately start creating AI videos from text prompts. The quality impresses, though it’s not perfect.
Sora 2 generates videos up to 20 seconds long. You describe what you want, and the AI attempts to create it. Results vary wildly based on prompt quality and subject complexity.
You also get access to a social feed filled with other users’ AI creations. Like, comment, and share videos. It feels like a social network, except everything is synthetic.
Plus, you receive four invite codes to share. So even if you don’t care about creating AI videos yourself, getting in means you can help friends access the platform.
The Real Question Nobody’s Asking
Why did OpenAI launch Sora as a social platform instead of just another AI tool?
Most AI video generators exist as standalone tools. You create something, download it, and leave. Sora wants you to stay, scroll, and engage.
That suggests OpenAI has bigger ambitions than just selling AI video generation. They’re building a new kind of social media from scratch. One where human-created content doesn’t exist at all.
Whether that’s innovative or dystopian depends on your perspective. But it’s undeniably different from anything else available right now.
The limited-time free access won’t last forever. OpenAI will likely transition to a paid model or subscription tier once initial hype dies down. So if you’re curious about AI video generation or just want to see what a fully synthetic social platform looks like, grab access while it’s available.
Just don’t expect perfection. Sora 2 is impressive, but it’s still early-stage technology. You’ll encounter weird artifacts, impossible physics, and occasional nonsensical results. That’s part of the experience right now.
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