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ChatGPT's latest feature will keep your chats shielded from prying eyes
Oct 20, 2026 — 4:29 PM ET
- OpenAI is rolling out locked chats for ChatGPT.
- Locked chats allow you to hide selected conversations from regular chat history, pinned chats, and search.
- The feature is available for ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu users on desktop, web, and mobile.
There’s a reason why people prefer to keep their search history private, whether it’s to keep sensitive information confidential or to prevent prying eyes from seeing something potentially embarrassing. Just like with search history, there may be certain chatbot conversations you don’t want out in the open. Back in August, we discovered evidence suggesting OpenAI was working on a solution for ChatGPT. That solution has now started rolling out.
OpenAI has announced the debut of “locked chats” for ChatGPT. Similar to the locked folder in Google Photos, this is a private space where you can hide selected conversations from your chat history, pinned chats, and search. The aim is to keep sensitive conversations out of view from others who may use your device. It’s important to note that locked chats are not end-to-end encrypted.
Keep sensitive conversations out of view with Locked Chats in ChatGPT.Move chats out of your regular history and search into a protected space you can unlock with a PIN on web and desktop, or a PIN, Face ID, Touch ID, or device unlock on supported mobile devices.New messages sent in locked chats won’t update the memory used in your regular chats.Rolling out starting today to Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans.— ChatGPT (@ChatGPT) October 20, 2026
Opening a locked chat will require you to enter a four-digit PIN code. You’ll want to make sure to remember the PIN you set up, as OpenAI warns that resetting the PIN will delete all locked chats, and deleted locked chats can’t be recovered. However, if you’re on a mobile device, you’ll be able to use Face ID, Touch ID, or your device’s unlock method.
Locked chats are available starting today for ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu users. You’ll be able to use the feature on desktop (macOS and Windows), web, and mobile. While certain cloud conversations in Chat or Work mode can be locked, Codex, local Work, and ChatGPT for Healthcare conversations can’t be locked. OpenAI adds that Voice can be in locked chats on mobile, but can’t be used on desktop.
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