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How to connect your API key to Hey Help

Hey Help gives you full control over which AI engine powers your assistant. Whether you're using OpenAI, Google Gemini, or Anthropic, connecting your API key is simple and secure.


Why connect your own API key?

Bringing your own key (BYOK) has a few major advantages:


  • No markups – You pay the provider directly at their rates.
  • More flexibility – Switch models anytime.
  • Faster access – Try the latest models the moment they launch.


How do I choose the right AI provider?

Here’s a quick guide to help you compare Google, OpenAI and Anthropic:


Provider

Free Tier

Notable Models

Pricing Highlights

Google

Yes

Gemini 1.5 Pro

Generous free tier via Google Cloud

OpenAI

No

GPT-3.5, GPT-4, GPT-4o

Paid only

Anthropic

No

Claude 3 Sonnet, Opus

Paid only, higher cost but longer context


Key notes:
  • Google Gemini is great for new users or teams looking to use Hey Help without incurring extra costs.
  • OpenAI is ideal if you already have an OpenAI account and want to leverage any existing projects or memory into Hey Help.
  • Anthropic offers excellent reasoning and long memory but is paid-only and best for power users.


How do I generate an API key?

Once you selected your provider, here's how to generate your API key to be added into Hey Help:


Google Gemini
  1. Visit: [https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey]()
  2. Log in with your Google account
  3. Click Create API key


Google offers a generous free tier that should suffice for average Gmail users.


OpenAI
  1. Go to: https://platform.openai.com/account/api-keys
  2. Log in and click + Create new secret key
  3. Copy the key (starts with sk-)


Note you’ll need billing enabled (payment details and credits) to use the OpenAI models.


Anthropic (Claude)
  1. Go to: [https://console.anthropic.com]()
  2. Set up billing and go to API Keys tab
  3. Create a new key and copy it


Note you’ll need billing enabled (payment details and credits) to use the Claude API.


How to Connect your API Key to Hey Help


  1. Go to AI Settings.
  2. Click + Add API key.
  3. Select AI provider
  4. Paste your API key
  5. Select "Set as default" or "Use only when specified".
  6. Click Save API key.


The option "Use only when specified is only applicable if you plan to use multiple API keys. Otherwise, just use "Set as default".

🙋 Still need help?

Drop us an email at hey@heyhelp.ai and our team will be happy to help.

Updated on: 15/07/2025

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