The key facts

  • ChatGPT allows locking chats with a PIN, Face ID, or Touch ID
  • Locked chats are hidden from history, search, and regular memory; the section has its own separate memory
  • Resetting the PIN permanently deletes all locked chats and files; there is no end-to-end encryption

OpenAI introduced Locked Chats

On October 20, OpenAI announced the launch of the Locked Chats feature in ChatGPT. It allows locking individual conversations to keep them confidential when others may gain access to the screen or device. Protection is provided by a four-digit PIN or Face ID/Touch ID on supported devices. The company describes use cases as discussing personal topics or planning a surprise when a user hands the device to loved ones to show another chat.

How the feature works

Locked chats move to a separate 'Locked Chats' section, hidden from regular history, pinned chats, and search results. Unlike Temporary Chats, you can return to locked chats at any time. When the Memory feature is enabled, the section has its own separate memory shared across chats within it: new messages after locking update it but not the main memory, so information from locked chats does not leak into regular conversations.

Limitations

OpenAI emphasizes that locking does not create end-to-end encryption or a separate encrypted storage, does not change the chat retention period, does not delete information ChatGPT memorized before locking, and does not affect the 'Improve the model for everyone' setting. Resetting the PIN permanently deletes all locked chats, files, and other content protected by the previous code. The feature is unavailable for temporary, archived, and group chats, chats from shared links, chats with scheduled tasks, and meeting recordings.

Availability and rollout

Locked Chats is available on the Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans, but not in ChatGPT for Healthcare. The rollout began on Tuesday, October 20, so the feature may not yet be available to all users. TechCrunch notes that locking restricts access to chats but does not address questions about how sensitive information is stored and processed.