OpenAI has introduced Locked Chats in ChatGPT, allowing users to protect selected conversations with a four-digit PIN or biometric authentication on supported devices. The feature, announced on October 20, 2026, keeps sensitive conversations separate from regular chat history, preventing others from easily accessing them when using a shared device or viewing someone’s screen.
Unlike Temporary Chats, which do not appear in conversation history, Locked Chats remain saved and can be reopened whenever needed. OpenAI said the feature is intended for personal discussions, confidential information, or situations such as planning surprises for friends and family.
Locked Chats Keep Conversations Separate From Regular History
According to OpenAI’s official documentation, users can lock an existing conversation through its options menu by selecting “Lock chat” and creating or entering their account PIN. The conversation then moves to a dedicated Locked Chats section under Projects, disappearing from regular history, pinned conversations, and search results.
Users can access the protected section using their PIN, Face ID, Touch ID, or supported device authentication. The same PIN works across devices connected to the account, although biometric authentication must be enabled separately on each device.
With Memory enabled, Locked Chats maintains a separate memory shared among conversations within the protected section. New information collected after locking a conversation can update this separate memory without updating ChatGPT’s regular Memory.
However, locking a conversation does not delete information already remembered before the chat was protected. Users can also permanently unlock conversations to return them to their regular chat history.
Chat Protection Does Not Change Data Retention Policies
OpenAI clarified that Locked Chats does not provide end-to-end encryption or create a separate encrypted storage vault. The feature also does not change how long conversations are retained or whether their content can be used for model improvement under existing account settings.
Resetting a forgotten PIN permanently deletes all protected conversations, files, and information stored exclusively within Locked Chats. OpenAI warns that deleted content cannot be recovered, although users who remember their existing PIN can change it without losing their conversations.
The feature also has several restrictions, including the inability to lock Temporary Chats, archived conversations, group chats, and conversations created from shared links. Chats containing scheduled tasks or meeting recordings are also excluded.
Locked Chats Rolls Out Across ChatGPT Subscription Plans
Locked Chats is available for ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu users, with support across web, mobile, and desktop applications. However, the feature is not available on ChatGPT for Healthcare.
OpenAI began gradually releasing the feature on October 20, meaning some users may not immediately see the option in their accounts. The company said availability will expand as the rollout continues.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
For more stories like it, click the +Follow button at the top of this page to follow us.