To remove information ChatGPT remembers about you, delete the saved memory and the chat where you shared it; these are separate records. To remove a conversation, delete it rather than archive it. Then check for copies in Library files or connected-app conversations. The available controls and their labels can vary by plan, region, platform, and workspace.
Delete a saved memory and its source chat
- Open Settings, then select Personalization > Memory.
- Review the memory controls available in your account. Delete the relevant saved memory, or use the available memory-summary deletion control. You can also ask ChatGPT to forget a detail, but verify the result in the memory controls.
- Delete the conversation where you originally shared the information. Check archived chats, Library files, and conversations involving connected apps for other copies.
A memory summary is a high-level view and may not show every detail or source Memory can reference. OpenAI says logs of deleted saved memories may be retained for up to 30 days for safety and debugging. OpenAI’s Memory in ChatGPT guidance explains the available controls.
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Delete a chat
Delete one conversation
- Open the conversation’s options menu in chat history.
- Select Delete and confirm.
Deletion cannot be undone: OpenAI says a deleted chat cannot be restored in ChatGPT or through Support. It disappears from your account view immediately and is scheduled for permanent deletion from OpenAI systems within 30 days. Exceptions include data already de-identified and disassociated from your account, and data that must be retained longer for security or legal obligations. See OpenAI’s instructions for deleting and archiving chats and its chat and file retention guidance.
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Delete all conversations
- Go to Settings > Data controls.
- Select Delete all chats, review the confirmation, and continue if you want to proceed.
This action cannot be undone and may apply to chats in the current account or workspace, including project chats. In a managed workspace, retention policies and administrator controls may affect what you can delete yourself.
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Archive, delete, or turn off Memory?
| Choice | What it does | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Delete a chat | Removes the conversation from your account view and schedules it for deletion under OpenAI’s retention rules. | Does not necessarily delete a separate saved memory or file. |
| Archive a chat | Removes it from the regular sidebar while keeping it in your account and searchable. | Does not delete the conversation or shorten its retention period. |
| Delete a saved memory | Removes the selected remembered information. | Does not delete the chat where you shared it. |
| Turn off Memory or Reference chat history | Changes whether ChatGPT uses or creates personalization from memories or past chats, depending on the control. | Does not delete existing chats. Turning off Reference chat history schedules information remembered from past chats for deletion within 30 days; the original chats remain unless you delete them separately. |
To archive, select Archive from a conversation’s options menu. Archived chats remain searchable. To find one, open Settings > Data controls > Archived chats (the label may vary), then choose Unarchive or Delete. Archived chats follow the same retention rules as other saved chats. Details are in OpenAI’s chat deletion and archive instructions.
Check files and connected apps separately
- Library: Deleting a chat does not delete a file saved in Library. Delete the file separately there. Files from Google Drive or another connected service may also need to be managed at the original service. See Using Library to manage files in ChatGPT.
- Connected apps: Disconnecting an app stops future access; it does not erase historical conversation content already retained in chats. Delete the relevant conversations separately. See OpenAI’s Data controls guidance.
Memory, model training, and Temporary Chat are different controls
Turning off Improve the model for everyone is not a deletion control: new conversations can remain in chat history even when they are not used to train models. Temporary Chat behaves differently while in use: it does not appear in chat history, create or update memories, or improve models, but OpenAI says it may be retained for up to 30 days for safety. See Data controls in ChatGPT and How OpenAI handles data in consumer services.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to find the controls
Memory settings are generally under Settings > Personalization > Memory, while chat deletion and archived-chat controls are under the conversation options menu or Settings > Data controls. Depending on your account, you may see labels such as Reference saved memories, Reference chat history, Memory summary, Manage, or Saved memories. Options can differ by plan, region, platform, memory experience, and workspace settings. For current details, consult the Memory FAQ and Privacy Center in ChatGPT.
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