Grok-4 is Fully Open! A Guide to Experiencing Top-Tier AI for Free

Grok-4, the latest and most powerful AI model from Elon Musk’s xAI, is now available to all users worldwide. This article explores how to make the most of this opportunity, explains the differences between ‘Auto Mode’ and ‘Expert Mode,’ and clarifies the current usage rules. Whether you’re a developer, researcher, or AI enthusiast, this is an experience you don’t want to miss.

The tech world has just witnessed a major shift: xAI, Elon Musk’s AI company, announced that its most advanced language model, Grok-4, is no longer exclusive to paid subscribers and is now open to all users of X (formerly Twitter). This news means that everyone now has the chance to experience the powerful performance of one of the so-called “smartest AIs.”

Previously, accessing the full functionality of Grok-4 required a subscription to services like X Premium+. Now, this barrier has been removed, marking a significant step towards the democratization of AI. But how do you use it, and what are the rules for this free access? Let’s dive in.

Smart Routing or Full Power? Understanding ‘Auto’ and ‘Expert’ Modes

The core of Grok-4’s public release lies in the introduction of two distinct usage modes: “Auto mode” and “Expert mode.” Understanding the difference between them is key to unlocking their full value.

Auto Mode: Your Intelligent Co-pilot

When you open Grok now, it defaults to “Auto Mode.” In this mode, Grok acts like a smart assistant, automatically assessing the complexity of your prompt. For everyday queries or simple conversations, the system might use a lighter, faster model. However, when you present a task that requires deep analysis, complex reasoning, or code generation, the system seamlessly switches and hands the request over to the more powerful Grok-4 model.

The philosophy behind this design is to balance efficiency and resources. Users get instant responses for simple questions while ensuring that the most powerful AI support is available for critical challenges.

Expert Mode: Summoning the Strongest Brain at Will

If you’re a professional seeking maximum performance or have specific, complex tasks, “Expert Mode” is your best choice. By manually switching to this mode, every prompt you submit, whether simple or complex, will be processed directly by the Grok-4 model. This ensures you get top-tier AI performance for academic research, writing sophisticated code, or in situations requiring a high degree of creativity.

Honestly, the design of these two modes is quite thoughtful. It meets the efficiency needs of casual users while giving professional users the control they require. You can freely switch between the two modes based on your current context and needs.

The Rules of Free Use: What You Need to Know About Current Limits

xAI has stated that it wants more people to explore the full potential of Grok-4. However, for free users, the number of uses is not unlimited. According to user reports and testing, the current quota for non-paying subscribers is approximately “5 requests every 12 hours.”

Once you’ve used up your quota, the system will prompt you to wait for the next cycle or offer the option to upgrade for more uses.

While “5 times every 12 hours” may not sound like much, considering the high computational cost of a top-tier model like Grok-4, this is a pretty generous trial opportunity. These 5 chances are enough to test some truly challenging problems, such as:

• Analyzing and refactoring code across multiple files.
• Solving math or data reasoning problems that require tool assistance.
• Writing a long-form research summary with citations.

The key is to make the most of each prompt to experience Grok-4’s unique capabilities in handling complex problems.

What’s the Significance Behind This Move?

Why did xAI make such a major decision to open its flagship model to the public? There are likely multiple strategic considerations at play.

First, it’s an excellent way to collect real-world data to train and improve the model. The power of an AI model depends on a large and diverse range of user interactions. By allowing millions of users to test it for free, xAI can identify the model’s strengths and weaknesses at an astonishing speed and iterate on improvements.

Second, it’s a powerful competitive strategy. With OpenAI’s GPT series and Google’s Gemini models already dominating the market, opening up Grok-4 can attract a large number of users to the X platform to experience its distinctive “personality” and real-time information integration capabilities, thereby increasing the platform’s overall activity and value.

How to Start Your Grok-4 Experience

Want to try it out right away? The process is very simple. You just need to log in to your X account through the official X website or download the standalone Grok app on your phone (currently available for iOS and Android).

Remember, the system defaults to “Auto Mode.” If you want to experience the full power of Grok-4 from the start, don’t forget to manually switch to “Expert Mode” in the conversation interface.

This is a rare opportunity to get a glimpse into the future of top-tier AI technology. Whether you want it to spark your creativity, solve a tricky programming problem, or just chat with a unique AI, Grok-4 is ready for your challenge. Go ahead and try it for yourself!