OpenAI Confirms GPT-4o Will Be Retired from ChatGPT in February 2026

OpenAI has announced that it will permanently retire GPT-4o and several other legacy models from ChatGPT, marking the end of one of its most popular conversational AI versions. The decision comes months after backlash from users forced the company to temporarily restore GPT-4o following its removal during the rollout of GPT-5.

This time, however, OpenAI has made it clear that the transition is final. According to the company, the move is part of a broader effort to focus development resources on newer models that are now handling the majority of daily user interactions.

GPT-4o and Other Older Models to Be Removed from ChatGPT

Official Confirmation from OpenAI

In a post published on its official website, OpenAI confirmed that multiple older models will be phased out from ChatGPT. These include:

• GPT-4o

• GPT5 (Instant and Thinking)

• GPT4.1

• GPT4.1 mini

• OpenAI o4-mini

All of these models will be removed from ChatGPT on February 13, 2026.

No Immediate Changes to APIs

While the models are being retired from the ChatGPT interface, OpenAI clarified that there are no plans to make changes to APIs for now, ensuring that developers relying on these models through API access are not immediately affected.

Why Is OpenAI Retiring GPT-4o?

A Beloved Model with a Loyal Fanbase

Launched in May 2024, GPT-4o quickly gained popularity for its friendly conversational tone, warmth, and natural dialogue flow. When OpenAI initially removed the model after introducing GPT-5 in August last year, many ChatGPT users expressed frustration and disappointment online.

Following widespread criticism, OpenAI reinstated GPT-4o, explaining the decision at the time:

"We brought GPT4o back after hearing clear feedback from a subset of Plus and Pro users, who told us they needed more time to transition key use cases, like creative ideation, and that they preferred GPT4o’s conversational style and warmth."

Declining Usage Led to the Final Decision

User Preferences Have Shifted

Despite its loyal following, OpenAI said interest in GPT-4o has significantly declined over time. According to the company:

• Only "about 0.1% of users choose GPT-4o daily"

• "GPT-5.2, which has become the default model for most daily tasks"

These figures indicate that the vast majority of users have already transitioned to newer models, reducing the need to maintain older systems.

Focusing Resources on Widely Used Models

OpenAI acknowledged that discontinuing models can be difficult but framed the move as necessary for long-term progress.

"Retiring models is never easy, but it allows us to focus on improving the models most people use today."

Newer Models Aim to Replicate GPT-4o’s ‘Friendly’ Feel

Custom Styles and Tones Introduced

After the backlash surrounding GPT-4o’s earlier removal, OpenAI introduced “base styles and tones like Friendly, and controls for things like warmth and enthusiasm” across its newer AI models.

According to the company, these features were designed to help users recreate the sense of companionship and conversational ease that GPT-4o was known for, even while using more advanced models.

Making the Transition Easier for Users

These customisation options appear to have played a key role in encouraging users to adopt newer models without feeling they had lost the personality they enjoyed in GPT-4o.

Sam Altman Had Promised Advance Notice

Commitment to Transparency

Following the controversy last year, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had assured users that they would receive "plenty of notice" before any permanent decision was made regarding GPT-4o’s future.

This announcement fulfils that promise, giving users nearly a month’s notice before the model is officially retired from ChatGPT.

A Strategic Shift, Not a Sudden Move

OpenAI reiterated that retiring older models will allow the company to focus engineering and research efforts on improving the AI systems that see the highest usage today, rather than splitting attention across multiple legacy models.

Conclusion

The retirement of GPT-4o marks the end of an era for many ChatGPT users who valued its warmth and conversational charm. While the model played a crucial role in shaping how people interacted with AI, OpenAI’s data shows that user preferences have largely shifted toward newer, more capable systems like GPT-5.2.

By phasing out older models, OpenAI aims to streamline development and accelerate innovation, while offering users familiar conversational experiences through adjustable styles and tones. As ChatGPT continues to evolve, the focus is clearly on fewer models—each more powerful, adaptable, and widely used than the last.