How to Use DeepSeek: A Beginner's Guide to the Chat App

The short version

DeepSeek works like other AI chat assistants, with two switches worth learning on day one: DeepThink and Search. Ask clearly, turn on the right switch for the job, and keep private details out, because DeepSeek’s privacy policy says it stores your data in the People’s Republic of China.

Step by step

1. Open DeepSeek

Go to chat.deepseek.com in your browser, or install the DeepSeek app for iOS or Android from deepseek.com’s download page. The chat is free.

2. Sign up

Use your email address or phone number. DeepSeek’s FAQ notes that Google login doesn’t work from IP addresses in mainland China and WeChat login works only from there. If your email is rejected, the FAQ suggests a major provider such as Gmail, Outlook, Hotmail or Yahoo. See sign up and fix login problems.

3. Ask clearly

Type your request in the message box. Say what you want, who it’s for and what a good answer looks like:

I run a small bakery. Write three short Instagram captions for our new sourdough loaf.
Friendly, under 25 words each, no hashtags.

4. Choose DeepThink or Search when it helps

The message box has two switches. DeepThink makes DeepSeek reason through the problem before it answers, which helps with math, logic, code and plans. Search lets it look things up on the web, for news, prices and anything recent. Leave both off for quick everyday tasks.

5. Refine the answer

Keep the conversation going: “Shorter”, “Give me two more options”, “Explain step 3”. DeepSeek uses everything earlier in the chat.

6. Manage your chats

In the chat history, the … menu (or a long press in the app) lets you Rename, Pin, Share or Delete a chat. DeepSeek’s FAQ says deleted chats can’t be recovered.

Prompts to copy

I'm [who you are]. I need [what you want] for [who it's for].
Keep it [length / tone / format]. Ask me questions first if anything is unclear.

Explain [topic] to someone with no background. Use one everyday example
and end with three questions I can use to check my understanding.

Example

You ask: “Plan a 3-day trip to Chicago in March for two adults on a mid-range budget. Day by day, mornings and afternoons.”

A good result: a day-by-day list with indoor options for cold weather. Turn on Search if you want current opening hours or prices, then check them on the venues’ own sites before you book.

Mistakes to avoid

• Pasting sensitive information. The privacy policy says DeepSeek’s services aren’t designed for sensitive personal data and asks you not to provide it. See keep your data private in DeepSeek.
• Using DeepThink for everything. It’s slower. Save it for problems that need reasoning.
• Trusting facts without checking. DeepSeek’s terms say outputs may contain errors. See fact-check DeepSeek’s answers.
• Expecting a busy service to answer instantly. If you see a busy message, see fix “server is busy”.

When not to use it

DeepSeek’s terms of use say its answers are not professional advice. For medical, legal or financial decisions, use it to prepare questions, then confirm with a professional. For confidential work data, check your employer’s rules first.

Related: use DeepThink and write better prompts for DeepSeek.