ChatGPT feature that lets you lock chats behind a PIN, rolling out gradually.
ChatGPT feature that moves selected chats into a PIN- or biometric-protected section with its own separate memory.
Updated EU status checked Last shown
ChatGPT Locked Chats at a glance
- What is ChatGPT Locked Chats?
- ChatGPT Locked Chats is an app from OpenAI. ChatGPT feature that moves selected chats into a PIN- or biometric-protected section with its own separate memory.
- Who makes ChatGPT Locked Chats?
- ChatGPT Locked Chats is made by OpenAI.
- Does ChatGPT Locked Chats work in the EU?
- Unverified. No explicit evidence found. The coverage lists eligible plans but no regional rollout or EU exclusions, and the TechCrunch terms excerpt concerns TechCrunch's own site, not the feature. Last verified 14 Nov 2026.
- How much does ChatGPT Locked Chats cost?
- Freemium. Included in ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu plans at no extra cost; not available on ChatGPT for Healthcare. Licence: Proprietary.
- Where was ChatGPT Locked Chats shown?
- In 1 creator video by Matt Wolfe. Most recently by Matt Wolfe on 23 Oct 2026, at 11:12 in “AI News: 24 Things You Need To Know This Week”.
Sources: the vendor's own pages (linked above) and creator videos at the linked timestamps. EU status is information, not legal advice; see how we check.
Locked Chats is a privacy feature in ChatGPT, announced by OpenAI on 20 October 2026. Users can lock a conversation so it is hidden behind a four-digit PIN, or Face ID / Touch ID on supported devices. It is aimed at situations such as discussing something personal or planning a surprise while handing a device to someone else.
Once locked, a chat moves to a dedicated "Locked Chats" section, kept separate from regular chat history, pinned conversations and search results. Unlike Temporary Chats, locked chats can be reopened at any time. With Memory enabled, Locked Chats has its own memory shared across chats in that section; messages sent after locking update this memory and not the regular Memory. Resetting the PIN permanently deletes all locked chats, files and content protected by the previous PIN.
OpenAI states that locking is not end-to-end encryption or a separate encrypted vault. It does not change chat retention, does not remove information ChatGPT remembered before locking, and does not alter the "Improve the model for everyone" setting. The option is unavailable for temporary, archived and group chats, chats created from a shared link, chats with scheduled tasks, and chats with meeting recordings. It is not available on ChatGPT for Healthcare. Rollout began gradually on 20 October 2026, so it may not be visible to all users yet.
- Lock chats behind a four-digit PIN or Face ID / Touch ID
- Dedicated Locked Chats section separate from history, pins and search
- Separate memory for locked chats that does not feed regular Memory
- Resetting the PIN permanently deletes locked content
- Not end-to-end encrypted; retention and training settings unchanged
As seen on YouTube
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