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Home » News » ChatGPT Now Lets You Lock Chats
OpenAI has introduced a new privacy feature to ChatGPT called Locked Chats, which allows users to hide individual conversations so that they are not visible to others who may be viewing the user’s screen or have access to the device. OpenAI announced the feature on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and it is currently being rolled out to consumer and business plans.
The feature is a response to users’ desire to keep private conversations private, even when they share their device with others. Many people show friends or family members things on their phone from another conversation, and Locked Chats keeps those conversations hidden from prying eyes.
While it may seem like a minor change, it addresses a major pain point for users of AI-powered apps and services.
This guide will show you how the feature works, who can use it, and where it cannot be used. It will also discuss what the new feature does not do, which is just as important as what it does.
Users may now secure their chats with a four-digit PIN. On supported devices, users can alternatively utilize Face ID or Touch ID to unlock a conversation. This essentially replaces the need to type in a PIN.
After a user has applied lock on a conversation, it will appear under a separate tab named “Locked Chats.” This is to segregate these conversations from the regular chat history. In addition to that, locked chats will not appear on the pinned conversation list or chat search results
Consequently, a locked conversation will not appear when one scrolls through the Messenger sidebar or when searching for specific chats via keywords.
ChatGPT already possesses the capability of Temporary Chats. These chats are available as a separate session and will not appear in your chat history. The only problem is that it can be difficult to retrieve them again later.
With locked chats, users can return to a particular conversation at any time, which brings us privacy and continuity at the same time. This makes the function much more suitable for, say, an extended personal conversation that one would like to continue exploring.
The ability to create Temporary Chats already exists in ChatGPT. These chats are separate sessions that are not shown in your chat history. The only problem is that it is difficult to retrieve them again at a later date.
With locked chats, it is possible to return to a particular conversation at any time and, therefore, privacy and continuity are provided simultaneously. This is much more appropriate for, say, an extensive personal conversation that one wants to continue exploring.
This is one of the better design choices. When Memory is enabled, Locked Chats has their own memory, which is shared between the conversations in the Locked Chats tab.
New messages sent to a locked chat after it was locked can update this separate memory, but not your general Memory. In practice, this means that things said in a locked chat should not appear in later regular conversations (unless it was unlocked). This can be used to plan surprise parties by chatting about them in a locked chat, while chats that were unlocked will still show the information normally. This is a useful feature that goes beyond just a list of titles.
Here is what the users should understand on the matter. OpenAI announced that locking a chat does not result in end-to-end encryption. The lock feature does not produce a different encrypted vault, either.
The feature does not modify how long OpenAI stores the chat and does not delete personal information which ChatGPT may have learnt prior to locking the chat. It does not alter the ‘Improve the model for everyone’ setting. TechCrunch speaks of the matter in simple terms. They note that locking a chat can limit who opens it on the user’s device. However, it does not mitigate concerns about the sensitive information storage or handling.
In other words, Locked Chats is a privacy screen. It is not a data protection shield. If the user wants to manage how their data is used, they still need to invest time in adjusting their data settings. The lock will not do it for them.
There is one particular warning about the feature. According to OpenAI, resetting the PIN permanently deletes any chats, files, or other information secured under the previous PIN.
This warning makes the PIN more valuable than a regular password. The user will not be able to simply recover chats through a reset if they forgot their PIN. Without any way to recover, it will all be lost. Any user who intends to use Locked Chats for something worth storing should ensure that the PIN is stored somewhere secure.
Not every conversation qualifies. The Locked Chats option is not available for several chat types:
Most of these limits make sense. Group chats and shared links involve other people by design. Temporary chats already vanish from history. Archived chats simply do not get the option.
Locked Chats will be available to users on ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu platforms. So, that is a great coverage, including the people who do not pay for the service.
There is one reservation, nevertheless. The feature will not be available for ChatGPT for Healthcare, but OpenAI did not comment on the reason in the information published by TechCrunch, so do not ask them about this.
The availability began on Tuesday, meaning that you may not see the function yet, and if you do not, check again within a few days.
A few tips concerning the feature will allow users to benefit from it more.
Firstly, they should create a memorable, yet unguessable, PIN. Secondly, it is critical to store somewhere safe, as the only way to access it after a reset is to use the same PIN again. Then, users should remember that it is a display tool, meaning that any conversation’s previous states are not deleted.
It is necessary to note that any messages said before locking it will be displayed in it. However, this feature does not delete them from the user’s Memory. Therefore, it is essential to keep this in mind and check one’s Memory if it is crucial to them.
The Locked Chats feature is an evolutionary step, as users start to rely on AI assistants just as they do on messaging and banking apps, expecting the same level of privacy and discretion in their day-to-day lives. In that sense, a PIN or biometric lock is an expected addition, and I find it overdue.
Simultaneously, the features OpenAI listed as limitations are rather telling for the technical and design capabilities of the service. The lock is only useful for protecting chats from the current owner, meaning those who can view the conversation, but do not alter the encryption, retention, or training parameters. Users should consider both aspects when choosing whether to utilize the new measure.
From my perspective, it is important to emphasize that the intended users of such a tool should be regular customers, not organizations or businesses. Thus, to maximize one’s security, it is best to lock chats, which should contain private information from the eyes of those around you, and separately handle data retention and encryption. In that sense, the feature achieves its stated goal, provided one uses it in conjunction with other measures, maximizing one’s privacy and security.
Q 1: What is Locked Chats in ChatGPT?
Locked Chats is a new feature that lets you lock individual ChatGPT conversations. Locked chats move to their own section, away from regular history and search results. It is meant for personal chats or surprise planning when others may see your device.
Q 2: How do I secure a locked chat?
You can use a four-digit PIN. On supported devices, Face ID or Touch ID also works. Choose the method that fits your device and habits.
Q 3: How is it different from Temporary Chats?
Temporary Chats run as a separate session and do not appear in your chat history. Locked Chats stay available, and you can return to them at any time. That makes them better for ongoing conversations.
Q 4: Does locking a chat encrypt it?
No. OpenAI says locking does not create end-to-end encryption or a separate encrypted vault. It limits access on your device but does not change how the data is stored.
Q 5: What happens if I reset my PIN?
Resetting your PIN permanently deletes all locked chats, files, and other content protected by the previous PIN. There is no way around this, so keep your PIN safe. Treat a reset as a last resort.
Q 6: Do locked chats have their own memory?
Yes, when Memory is turned on. Locked Chats has a separate memory shared across conversations in that section. New messages in locked chats do not update your regular Memory.
Q 7: Which chats cannot be locked?
The option is not available for temporary chats, archived chats, group chats, chats created from a shared link, chats with scheduled tasks, and chats with meeting recordings. Regular one-on-one chats are the main fit.
Q 8: Who can use Locked Chats?
It is available on ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans. It is not available on ChatGPT for Healthcare. Availability may vary during the rollout.
Q 9: Does locking change data retention or model training?
No. OpenAI notes that locking does not change how long it retains a chat. It also does not change the “Improve the model for everyone” setting, so review that setting separately.
Q 10: Is Locked Chats live for everyone now?
Not necessarily. The rollout started on Tuesday, so it may not be live for all users yet. Check the app again in a few days if you do not see it. Timing can differ from one account to another.
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