ChatGPT Locked Chats Add PIN and Biometric Privacy
OpenAI rolls out Locked Chats for ChatGPT, adding PIN and biometric access while separating sensitive conversations, search results and memory from chat history.
Summary
OpenAI began rolling out Locked Chats on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, letting users protect ChatGPT conversations with a four-digit PIN, Face ID or Touch ID on supported devices. Locked conversations move to a dedicated section outside regular history, pinned chats and search results, but remain accessible, unlike Temporary Chats. OpenAI designed the feature for personal discussions or surprise planning when friends or family may use or view the device.
With Memory enabled, Locked Chats share a separate memory within their section. Messages sent after locking can update that memory but not regular Memory, keeping new details from appearing in ordinary chats. Locking does not create end-to-end encryption or an encrypted vault, change retention or the “Improve the model for everyone” setting, or erase information ChatGPT remembered before locking. Resetting the PIN permanently deletes all chats, files and other content protected by the previous PIN.
Locked Chats excludes temporary, archived and group chats, conversations created from shared links, and chats containing scheduled tasks or meeting recordings. It is rolling out across ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu, but not ChatGPT for Healthcare, and may not yet be available to every user.
Positives
- A four-digit PIN, Face ID or Touch ID can block casual access to sensitive ChatGPT conversations on supported devices.
- Locked conversations remain available for later use while staying outside regular history, pinned chats and search results.
- A separate Locked Chats memory prevents new protected information from updating regular ChatGPT Memory.
- Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu users are included in the rollout.
Risks & concerns
- Locked Chats does not provide end-to-end encryption or store conversations in a separate encrypted vault.
- Locking does not change chat retention, model improvement settings or information ChatGPT remembered previously.
- Resetting a forgotten PIN permanently deletes every chat, file and other item protected by the old PIN.
- Temporary, archived, group and shared-link chats, plus chats with scheduled tasks or meeting recordings, cannot be locked.
- ChatGPT for Healthcare is excluded, and the phased rollout means some eligible users must wait.