OpenAI has begun rolling out a new ChatGPT feature called Locked Chats, allowing users to keep selected conversations out of their regular chat history and search results without deleting them. The feature started rolling out on October 20 for Free, Go, Plus and Pro users, with separate availability for Business, Enterprise and Edu workspaces.
Locked Chats adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a four-digit account PIN or supported device authentication to access protected conversations. Depending on the device, users may be able to unlock chats using Face ID, Touch ID or their usual device authentication method.
OpenAI is gradually making the feature available across the web, iOS, Android and its new ChatGPT desktop applications for macOS and Windows.
How to Lock and Access a Chat in ChatGPT
Locking a conversation is designed to be straightforward. Users can open the three-dot menu next to a chat and select the “Lock chat” option. Once locked, the conversation disappears from the standard chat list and regular search results.
To access it later, users need to open Projects, select Locked chats and verify their identity using the account PIN or a supported device authentication method.
However, users should be careful when managing their PIN. OpenAI’s help information warns that resetting the PIN can permanently delete content protected by the previous PIN. Support cannot recover that content.
The feature is being introduced gradually, so availability may depend on the user’s account plan, application version and workspace policies. As a result, some users may not see the option immediately.
What Does Locked Chats Actually Protect?
Locked Chats is primarily intended to prevent someone from casually viewing private conversations on a shared device or a device that is left unlocked. It should not be confused with end-to-end encryption.
OpenAI says the feature does not change existing data-retention or model-improvement settings. Enterprise and Edu accounts must also continue to follow their applicable compliance requirements. Where configured, locked conversations remain accessible through compliance logs.
This means locking a chat changes how easily it can be accessed through the regular ChatGPT interface, but it does not automatically change how the conversation is handled under the account’s existing data policies.
How Locked Chats Works With ChatGPT Memory
The feature also has specific limitations when used alongside ChatGPT Memory.
When Memory is enabled, a locked conversation can still use relevant information from the user’s existing regular Memory. However, new messages sent within a locked chat do not update the memory used in regular conversations.
Users who discuss sensitive information should therefore review their data controls, workplace policies and device security settings rather than relying on Locked Chats alone.
The feature provides an additional privacy measure for selected conversations, but understanding its limits is important before using it to protect confidential information.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is based on the supplied information about ChatGPT’s Locked Chats feature. Availability and functionality may vary by account, device, application version and workspace settings. Users should consult OpenAI’s official help documentation for the latest details before relying on the feature for privacy or security purposes.