By Hamza Faisal

OpenAI is rolling out a new privacy feature for ChatGPT that lets users hide their most sensitive conversations behind a lock. Called Locked Chats, the feature keeps selected conversations out of the regular chat history, pinned list, and search — protected by a four-digit PIN on the web and desktop apps, or a PIN, Face ID, Touch ID, or device unlock on mobile.

The rollout began on October 20, 2026, and is gradually reaching users on every major ChatGPT plan — Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education. ChatGPT for Healthcare is the one exception.

What Locked Chats actually does

Locking a chat moves it into a dedicated Locked chats section, which OpenAI places under the Projects menu. From there it disappears from the normal interface: it will not show up in the sidebar history, in pinned conversations, or in search results. To open it later, you enter your four-digit account PIN, or use biometrics on a supported phone or tablet.

On Android, OpenAI goes one step further — screenshots of locked chats may appear blank or black, since the app hides the protected content. Users can lock existing conversations by opening the three-dot menu next to any chat and choosing "Lock chat."

A separate memory, but not encryption

The more interesting detail is how Locked Chats handles ChatGPT's memory. OpenAI says the feature works with a separate memory partition: anything remembered inside a locked chat stays in that space and is not transferred to regular conversations. Previously saved memories are not automatically removed when you lock a chat, either.

OpenAI is also explicit about what the lock does not do. It does not add end-to-end encryption, does not create a separately encrypted vault, does not change data retention policies, and does not alter the "Improve the model for everyone" setting that controls whether conversations can be used for training. Some conversation types cannot be locked at all, including temporary chats, archived chats, group chats, chats created from shared links, chats with scheduled tasks, and chats containing meeting recordings.

The one warning you must read

There is one sharp edge worth knowing about: if you reset a forgotten account PIN, OpenAI permanently deletes all locked chats and the content associated with the old PIN. There is no recovery path — the reset wipes everything the lock was protecting.

The feature is aimed at anyone who shares a phone or computer with others — family members, colleagues, or anyone borrowing a device. Whether it is a surprise trip, a health question, or a financial plan you would rather keep off the shared screen, Locked Chats gives it a quiet corner of its own.

By Hamza Faisal