Getting Started with Grok: Your Guide to Everyday AI Answers

Learn how to find and use xAI's conversational tool on your phone or computer to answer your daily questions with ease.

6 min read·22 June 2026

Have you ever wished for a digital assistant that could quickly help you understand the daily news, brainstorm ideas, or explain complicated topics in simple terms? This guide will show you how to find and use Grok, a conversational tool built by xAI, to help you navigate your day with ease. By the end, you'll be able to ask Grok questions and get helpful responses, whether you're on your phone or computer.

✅ Before you start

An active X (formerly Twitter) account: Grok lives inside the X social media platform, so you'll need to be signed in to your X account to access it.
An X Premium subscription: Access to Grok currently requires an active Premium membership on X. You can usually set this up directly from the X app or website.
A device with internet access: You can follow this guide using either a computer (laptop or desktop) with a web browser, or a mobile device (smartphone or tablet) with the X app installed.
Rough total time: This guide will take about 5-10 minutes to follow for the first time.

Log In and Find Grok

The first step is to open the X social media platform and locate Grok.

On a computer: Open your web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari) and go to X.com. Log in if you aren't already. Once you're on your X home screen, look at the left-hand navigation menu. You'll see a list of options like "Home", "Notifications", and "Messages". Scan this list for an icon that often looks like a bold square, or a forward slash (/). This is the Grok icon.
On a mobile device: Open the X app on your smartphone or tablet and log in. Once on your main feed, look for the navigation bar, which is often at the bottom of the screen. Tap the icon that looks like a bold square or a forward slash (/). Sometimes this icon might be found within a side menu (often represented by three horizontal lines) if your screen is smaller.
What happens next: Tapping this icon will open Grok's dedicated chat interface, which usually appears as a clean, empty screen with a text box at the bottom.
If it looks different: If you don't immediately see a square or slash icon, try looking for a search bar icon or a "More" menu option, which might lead you to Grok. User interfaces can change, but the core functionality remains.

💬 ExampleOn your computer, after logging into X.com, click the bold square icon in the left-hand column.

You'll know it worked when: You see a new, clean screen appear with "Grok" at the top and a prominent text box at the bottom that says something like "Ask Grok anything".

Understand Grok's Conversation Modes

Grok offers different "modes" that change its personality and the style of its answers.

Action: Find the mode selection option and switch to "Regular Mode". After opening Grok (from Step 1), look towards the top of the chat window. You should see a section or button indicating the current mode, often with options for "Regular Mode" and "Fun Mode". These might be represented by a toggle switch (like an on/off button) or a small drop-down menu.
What you see: You'll typically see "Regular Mode" and "Fun Mode" clearly labelled. "Regular Mode" offers direct, factual answers, while "Fun Mode" gives more creative, often humorous or sarcastic responses.
What happens next: When you select "Regular Mode", the interface might briefly refresh, or the selected mode will simply highlight to confirm your choice.
If it looks different: If you can't find a direct toggle, look for a "Settings" or "Preferences" icon (often a gear symbol) within the Grok interface, as the mode selection might be located there.

💬 ExampleClick or tap the option labelled "Regular Mode" to ensure your answers are straightforward.

You'll know it worked when: "Regular Mode" is highlighted or clearly displayed as the active setting, indicating that Grok will now provide standard, direct responses.

Send Your First Question (Prompt)

Now that Grok is open and in a helpful mode, let's ask it something. A prompt is simply the instruction or question you give to an AI. Think of it as sending a message to a very knowledgeable friend.

Action: Click on the text box at the bottom of Grok's chat screen, type your question, and then send it. The text box is where you write your message, similar to a chat application. After typing, look for a "Send" button (often an arrow icon or a paper aeroplane symbol) or simply press the "Enter" key on your keyboard.
What you see: As you type, your text will appear in the input box. After sending, your question will usually move from the input box into the main chat history area, appearing as a message from you.
What happens next: Grok will immediately begin processing your request. You'll usually see a typing indicator (like dots or a pulsing line) as Grok formulates its response, then its answer will appear below your question.
If it looks different: If you're using a mobile device, your keyboard might cover part of the screen. Just type your question and tap the "Send" button that typically appears on your keyboard or next to the text box.

💬 ExampleType: "I have some leftover roast chicken, half a pumpkin, and some spinach. Can you suggest a simple dinner recipe I can make in under 30 minutes?"

You'll know it worked when: Grok displays a written response directly below your question in the chat history.

Refine Your Question or Ask a Follow-up

Sometimes, Grok's first answer might not be exactly what you needed, or you might want more detail. This is where follow-up questions come in.

Action: If Grok's initial answer isn't quite right, or you want more information, type a new question or a clarifying statement into the text box and send it, just like you did in Step 3. This time, your prompt will build on the previous conversation. For example, if the recipe was too complex, you could ask, "Can you make it even simpler?"
What you see: Your new question will appear in the chat history, continuing the conversation flow. Grok will treat this new prompt in the context of your previous messages.
What happens next: Grok will process your follow-up, keeping your earlier question and its own response in mind, and then provide an updated or expanded answer. This ability to "remember" previous parts of the conversation is called having a context window (the amount of information the AI can hold in its "short-term memory").
If it looks different: If Grok seems to forget what you talked about, try rephrasing your follow-up question to include a little more context from the original topic.

💬 ExampleAfter receiving a recipe, type: "Could you make that a vegetarian recipe instead?"

You'll know it worked when: Grok's new response addresses your follow-up, showing it understood the connection to your previous question.

Explore Current Events with Grok

One of Grok's unique features is its ability to access and summarise real-time discussions and news from the X platform. This makes it a great tool for quickly catching up on current events.

Action: In the same chat window, or by starting a new one (look for an option to "Start new chat" or a similar button, often a plus sign + or a blank page icon), type a question about a recent event or trending topic, and send it.
What you see: Your question about a current event will appear in the chat. Grok will display a message indicating it's gathering information, which might take a moment longer than a simple question.
What happens next: Grok will summarise the latest information it finds related to your query, often pulling in popular discussions or news points from around the web, especially from X. It might present this in bullet points or a short paragraph.
If it looks different: If Grok says it can't find information, try rephrasing your question to be more specific or ask about a more widely discussed topic. Not every niche event might have enough real-time data for it to summarise effectively.

💬 ExampleType: "What are the latest updates on the space mission launch from this morning? Summarise the main points in three bullet points."

You'll know it worked when: Grok provides a concise summary of a recent event, referencing information that feels current and relevant.

⚠️ Common mistakes

Not double-checking facts (hallucinations): AI can sometimes produce a hallucination (an answer that sounds plausible but is actually made up or incorrect).
- Fix: Always verify critical details, especially for important information like current events, dates, or scientific facts, using reliable external sources.
Using Fun Mode for formal tasks: In Fun Mode, Grok's replies might include cheeky remarks, jokes, or sarcasm, which isn't suitable for professional or serious requests.
- Fix: For formal emails, reports, or factual research, always switch back to Regular Mode to ensure a straightforward and polite tone.
Giving up after the first answer: If Grok's initial response isn't quite right or misses the point, many beginners assume the AI isn't helpful.
- Fix: Don't give up! Simply ask follow-up questions, refine your prompt with more details, or request a rewrite. For example, "Can you explain that in simpler terms?" or "Give me more details about point number two."

🚀 Try it now

Open Grok on your device, make sure you’re in Regular Mode (see Step 2), and type the following question into the chat box:

“Explain why the sky appears blue in one clear sentence.”

Send the prompt and read the answer. You’ve just taken your first step toward using AI for everyday curiosity. Enjoy the conversation!

✦ Original step-by-step guide by AI World Co.'s AI editorial team. Written in plain language, reviewed for accuracy.

← Back to all stories