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How to Manage ChatGPT Data Controls, Chat History, and Memory

ChatGPT separates model-improvement preferences, chat history, and Memory. Here’s how to change each setting and what archiving, deletion, and Temporary Chat actually do.
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To stop new regular chats from being used to improve OpenAI’s models while keeping them in your history, turn off Improve the model for everyone under Settings > Data controls. That setting is separate from chat deletion, archiving, Temporary Chat, and Memory controls. The available labels and options can vary by plan, region, device, and workspace.

Choose the control that matches what you want to do

Choice Appears in chat history? Memory behavior Eligible for model improvement? Separate deletion needed?
Regular chat with model improvement off Yes, unless you archive or delete it. Memory settings apply separately. New conversations are not used to improve OpenAI models after you opt out. Explicit feedback may still cause the associated conversation to be used. Yes, if you want the chat removed.
Temporary Chat No while it remains temporary. Does not create or update Memory while temporary. It may use existing personalization if enabled when the chat starts. No while it remains temporary. It is not a regular history item to delete, but OpenAI may retain a copy for safety for up to 30 days.
Archived chat Not in the regular sidebar; it remains in the account and searchable. Archiving does not itself delete a separate saved Memory. Archiving is not an opt-out from model improvement. No, unless you want it permanently removed rather than hidden.
Deleted chat No; it is removed from the account immediately. A saved Memory created from the chat may remain and must be deleted separately. It is removed from the account; permanent deletion is scheduled within 30 days, subject to stated exceptions. No; deletion cannot be undone. Delete separate files or sources independently if needed.

Turn off model improvement and keep regular chat history

For personal accounts, OpenAI says chats and remembered information may be used to improve models when Improve the model for everyone is on. Turning it off changes model-improvement use for new conversations; it does not hide or delete saved, archived, or Project chats. The preference applies across devices for signed-in accounts. See OpenAI’s Data Controls FAQ and model-improvement explanation.

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On the web

  1. Open the account menu and select Settings.
  2. Choose Data controls.
  3. Switch off Improve the model for everyone, then select Done if prompted.

On iOS or Android

  1. Open the sidebar and tap the profile icon.
  2. Open Data controls.
  3. Switch off Improve the model for everyone.

This preference is not a retroactive deletion tool. To remove a conversation from your account, delete it separately. One qualification: OpenAI says explicit feedback, such as a thumbs-up or thumbs-down, can cause the associated conversation to be used even after opting out.

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Use Temporary Chat for a conversation outside regular history

Temporary Chat is a per-conversation choice, not the same as turning off model improvement for your account. While it remains temporary, it does not appear in history, create or update Memory, or get used to improve OpenAI models. OpenAI may keep a copy for safety for up to 30 days. See the Temporary Chat FAQ.

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  • If you do not want the conversation to draw on existing personalization, choose the non-personalized option when starting it. Depending on your settings, personalization can include saved memories, custom instructions, or plugins. This choice cannot be changed after the conversation starts.
  • If you save a Temporary Chat, it becomes a regular chat and then follows your account’s personalization and model-improvement settings.
  • If a GPT action sends information to a third party, that recipient’s privacy policy governs what happens to the information it receives; OpenAI’s safety-retention period does not bind that recipient.

Review, switch off, or delete Memory

Memory controls are under Settings > Personalization, but labels and availability differ by plan, region, platform, and workspace. Depending on what is available to your account, you may see Memory, Reference saved memories, Reference chat history, a memory summary, or a Manage or Saved memories control. OpenAI describes the summary as a high-level view, not a complete transcript; Memory may also draw on available sources such as custom instructions, Library files, or connected apps. See Memory in ChatGPT.

Remove a saved fact as well as its source chat

Saved memories are stored separately from chat history. Deleting the chat where a fact appeared does not necessarily delete the saved Memory. To remove both, delete the Memory using the Memory controls and delete the source chat or file separately.

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Understand the two Memory switches

Turning off Reference chat history schedules information remembered from past chats for deletion from OpenAI systems within 30 days; it does not delete the original chats. Where the controls are combined, turning off Reference saved memories also turns off Reference chat history. If Memory is off and you later re-enable it, ChatGPT may create memories from chats that remain in history. Check the controls shown on your account before changing a switch, since the options are not identical for everyone.

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Archive a chat or delete it

Choose archive when you want to get a conversation out of the main sidebar but keep it in your account. Choose delete when you want the conversation removed from the account and accept that it cannot be restored.

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Find and restore archived chats

Open Settings > Data controls > Archived chats, or the equivalent location on your device, to find archived conversations. From there, you can unarchive a chat or delete it. Archived chats remain searchable. Archiving does not erase a separate Memory or turn off model improvement. OpenAI’s chat deletion and archiving guide has current instructions.

What deletion does—and does not—remove

A deleted chat is removed from your account immediately, and permanent deletion from OpenAI systems is scheduled within 30 days. OpenAI states exceptions for information already de-identified and disassociated from your account, or information it must retain longer for legal or security obligations; see its retention policy. Deleted chats cannot be restored.

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Deleting a chat does not delete an original connected-app source or a separate file in Library. Disconnect the app to prevent future access, and delete a retained file from Library separately if you want it removed.

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Check workspace rules if a setting is missing

Business, Enterprise, Edu, and Healthcare workspaces can have different defaults and organization-level rules for retention, Memory, compliance, and access. OpenAI says workspace content is not used to train models by default, but the organization’s policy still matters. Managed accounts may not offer the same self-service export or deletion controls as personal accounts. If an option is unavailable, ask the workspace owner. OpenAI’s data controls guidance explains that available controls depend on account and workspace context.

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