ChatGPT now lets you lock private chats with a PIN—but forgetting it could erase them for good

OpenAI is introducing a new feature to ChatGPT that allows users to lock private conversations using a PIN, but forgetting the PIN could result in the loss of those chats permanently. Launched on Tuesday, the locked chats feature moves selected conversations to a dedicated area under Projects, hidden from regular chat history, pinned chats, and conversation search.

Unlocking a locked conversation requires a four-digit PIN, while mobile users can also use Face ID, Touch ID, or their phone's device unlock method. Users should exercise caution when resetting a forgotten PIN, as doing so will permanently delete all locked chats, memories stored within them, and any files or other content protected by the previous PIN.

OpenAI emphasizes that this deletion cannot be undone, and their support team cannot recover the deleted content. Workspace administrators also cannot reset a user's PIN or unlock their chats. While locked chats change the location and accessibility of conversations, they do not provide end-to-end encryption or a separate encrypted vault, nor do they alter how long OpenAI retains the chat or change the user's "Improve the model for everyone" setting.

Locked chats are still included in conversation logs available through OpenAI's Compliance Platform in ChatGPT Enterprise and Edu workspaces, but they do not offer complete privacy separation. The feature is gradually being rolled out across various ChatGPT plans, including Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu. Locked chats are supported on mobile devices, including iOS and Android, but not on the desktop app.

Certain types of conversations, such as temporary chats, archived chats, group chats, and chats with scheduled tasks or meeting recordings, cannot be locked, as can Codex conversations and local Work conversations. Users should be aware that locking a chat does not delete any existing shared links, and anyone with the link can still view the previously shared content.

Locked chats keep files and other content protected within the chat hidden from ChatGPT's Space area for saved files until the chat is unlocked. Files saved in Space before being added to a locked chat remain accessible there. While locked chats keep sensitive conversations out of view, they do not prevent OpenAI from processing them under existing policies.

Users interested in managing how their conversations are used to improve the model should review their data controls separately. Temporary Chat offers a different set of protections, with conversations not appearing in chat history, not creating or updating memories, and not being used to improve OpenAI's models while they remain temporary.