Sora AI app now available without an invite, but there’s a catch

By Trevor Mogg Published October 29, 2025

[Following publication of this article, OpenAI announced that the Sora app is also now available in Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam, as well as Japan and South Korea]

OpenAI launched its AI-powered Sora app in the U.S. and Canada at the end of September, but you needed an invite to download it.

Well, the company has just removed that restriction and so you can now grab it from the iOS App Store and log in straight away, just like you would any other app.

And there’s more good news: The company has expanded Sora availability to Japan and South Korea, opening up the AI video generator to millions more people in another part of the world.

But take note — the removal of the invite requirement is for a limited time only. OpenAI doesn’t say for how long it will pause the need for an invite, so it’s likely down to the volume of downloads and how its systems cope with the added demand. In other words, it could reinstate the requirement for invites at any moment.

Either way, for folks in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and South Korea, the best thing to do right now is to head to the App Store and download the app while you can.

OpenAI made the announcement in a post on X on Wednesday.

You can now get into the Sora app without an invite code in the US, Canada, Japan, and Korea.Limited time only.

The move shows Sora’s rollout advancing from a limited and controlled launch toward broader availability, demonstrating OpenAI’s readiness to scale the app and expand its user base without restrictions … at least for now.

OpenAI also announced a new feature called “character cameos” that lets you create unique videos from a short clip that you’ve already taken. Find out more about it below:

The Sora app lets you create and browse AI-generated videos featuring personalized digital avatars. Created using text prompts, the short clips can include yourself, friends, pets, or objects.

Launched exactly a month ago for the iPhone (an Android version is coming soon), OpenAI’s Sora app quickly became a viral hit. The app’s popularity reflects the increasing demand for AI-powered video creation tools with social and creative features. However, in its short time of availability, Sora has faced controversy over copyright violations and the videos using the likeness of deceased celebrities.