OpenAI has introduced Locked Chats in ChatGPT, allowing users to hide selected conversations without deleting them. However, resetting a forgotten PIN permanently deletes every locked chat and its protected content.
Announced on Tuesday, October 20, the feature removes conversations from regular history, pinned chats and ordinary search results. Users can reopen them with a four-digit account PIN or supported mobile authentication, including Face ID, Touch ID and device unlock.
The feature offers additional protection when users share screens, lend someone a phone or want personal conversations out of immediate view. OpenAI is introducing it gradually, so some accounts may not yet show the option.
How ChatGPT Locked Chats works
To protect an existing conversation, users open its three-dot menu, select Lock chat and confirm. ChatGPT then asks them to create or enter their four-digit account PIN.
The conversation moves to Projects > Locked chats. Users must authenticate before opening that area and selecting a saved conversation.
Selecting Unlock chat from the conversation menu returns it to regular history. Simply opening a locked conversation does not permanently unlock it.
The same account PIN works across supported devices signed into that OpenAI account. Users configure optional device authentication separately on each phone or tablet.
Forgotten PIN resets carry permanent consequences
Forgetting the PIN does not automatically erase anything. The deletion happens when users reset it.
A reset permanently removes all locked conversations, remembered information stored only within them, and files protected solely by the previous PIN. OpenAI Support cannot recover that content.
Users who remember their existing PIN can change it without losing conversations. They must enter the current PIN, even if they normally use biometric authentication.
OpenAI also temporarily blocks access after too many incorrect PIN attempts. Users must wait until the retry period ends before trying again.
The distinction between changing and resetting a PIN therefore matters for anyone storing important conversations behind the lock.
Privacy limits and supported plans
Locked Chats does not introduce end-to-end encryption or create a separate encrypted vault. It leaves OpenAI’s retention policies and users’ existing model-improvement settings unchanged.
Locking also does not revoke a previously created shared link. Users must delete that link separately to stop access to previously shared content.
Business, Enterprise and Edu workspace rules still apply. Enterprise and Edu conversations remain within message logs available through OpenAI’s Compliance Platform, despite their locked status.
The rollout covers Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu accounts. Supported platforms include the web, iOS, Android and the newer ChatGPT desktop applications for Windows and macOS.
OpenAI’s guidance also identifies exclusions. Temporary chats, group chats and conversations with scheduled tasks cannot use the feature. Codex conversations and local Work conversations are also ineligible.
Users who cannot see Lock chat may need to wait for account access or check whether their conversation qualifies.
