To remove personal information ChatGPT may remember, delete the relevant saved memory and the chat where you first shared it. Then check for copies in other chats, Library files and connected apps. These are separate sources, so removing one does not automatically remove the others.
How do I delete a saved memory?
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In ChatGPT, open Settings > Personalization > Memory.
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Review the memory summary or saved memories, then delete the item containing the information. Depending on your account, you may see controls such as Memory, Reference saved memories, Memory summary, Manage or Saved memories. Labels and availability can vary by plan, region, platform and workspace. If a control is absent, OpenAI says it may not be available for your account. See OpenAI’s Memory in ChatGPT guidance.
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Delete the chat where you first shared or referred to the information. A saved memory and its source chat are separate: deleting only one can leave the other in place.
A memory summary is a high-level view and may not show every detail or every source ChatGPT can use. Check other places where you may have shared the information rather than assuming the summary is exhaustive.
If I delete a chat, does ChatGPT forget the information?
Deleting a chat removes that conversation from your account view immediately and schedules it for permanent deletion from OpenAI’s systems within 30 days. OpenAI lists exceptions: information may already have been de-identified and disassociated from your account, or may need to be retained longer for security or legal obligations. Deleted chats cannot be restored through ChatGPT or Support. A chat deletion also does not by itself delete a separate saved memory. Details are in OpenAI’s chat deletion and archiving guidance.
Where else should I check?
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Other chats: Search regular and archived conversations for the same detail and delete relevant chats if your goal is to remove it from your account history. Archiving only hides a chat from the regular sidebar; it does not delete it. Archived chats remain searchable and follow the retention rules for saved chats.
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Library files: If you uploaded a file that contains the information and it is saved in Library, delete the file there separately. Deleting a chat does not delete a Library file.
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Connected apps: Disconnect an app if you do not want ChatGPT to access it in the future. This does not remove past chats that already used the app’s content; delete those conversations separately. OpenAI describes these additional sources in its Memory guidance and chat management guidance.
How do I stop ChatGPT remembering information from past chats?
If your account offers Reference chat history, turn it off under Settings > Personalization > Memory. OpenAI says information remembered from past chats is then scheduled for deletion from its systems within 30 days. The original conversations remain in chat history unless you delete them yourself. OpenAI also says logs of deleted saved memories may be retained for up to 30 days for safety and debugging. These timelines distinguish removal from personalization from immediate erasure of every system record.
Turning memory off is not a substitute for deleting information already in your chats, saved memories or files. Use the separate deletion steps for each source you want removed.
Which ChatGPT control should I use?
| Control or action | What it affects | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Delete a saved memory | The selected saved-memory item used for personalization | Does not delete the source chat |
| Turn off Reference chat history | Schedules information remembered from past chats for deletion from OpenAI systems within 30 days | Does not delete original chats from history |
| Delete a chat | Removes the chat from your account view immediately and schedules permanent deletion within 30 days, subject to OpenAI’s stated exceptions | Does not automatically remove a separate saved memory or a Library file |
| Archive a chat | Hides the chat from the regular sidebar | Does not delete it; the chat remains searchable |
| Delete a Library file or disconnect an app | Deletes the file from Library, or prevents future app access, respectively | Disconnecting an app does not delete chats that already used its content |
| Turn off Improve the model for everyone | Changes whether your content is used to improve models | Does not delete or hide saved chats |
| Use Temporary Chat | For a future conversation, avoids chat history and creating or updating memories; OpenAI says Temporary Chats are not used to improve its models while they remain temporary | Does not delete existing memories or chats |
How do I stop future conversations from creating memories?
For a conversation you do not want to use or create personalization memories, start a Temporary Chat. OpenAI says Temporary Chats stay out of chat history, do not create or update memories, and are not used to improve its models while they remain temporary. This is a forward-looking choice, not a way to erase information already saved. Product behavior and controls can vary by account or workspace; see OpenAI’s consumer-services privacy information.
What if I also want to stop model-improvement use?
Turn off Improve the model for everyone in Settings > Data Controls. This setting addresses model-improvement use; it does not delete or hide chats or saved memories. OpenAI explains the setting on its Data Controls FAQ.
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