OpenAI rolls out Locked Chats: PIN-protected conversations that a PIN reset permanently deletes
OpenAI is rolling out Locked Chats, a feature that hides selected ChatGPT conversations from the regular chat history, pinned chats and conversation search. OpenAI's help center, updated October 20, 2026, says the rollout is gradual, so not every account has it yet.
Locked chats live under Projects > Locked chats. Opening them requires a 4-digit account PIN; on supported mobile devices Face ID, Touch ID or the device unlock method also works. OpenAI is explicit about what locking does not do: it is not end-to-end encryption, it does not change retention, and it does not change the 'Improve the model for everyone' setting.
The irreversible part matters most: resetting the account PIN permanently deletes all locked chats, information remembered only within locked chats, and files protected only by the previous PIN. OpenAI says this cannot be undone and support cannot recover the content.
Availability covers ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu. ChatGPT for Healthcare is excluded. On desktop, locking requires the new macOS or Windows app; Codex conversations and local Work conversations cannot be locked.
Some behaviors surprise: locking a chat that already has a shared link does not delete the link, and locking a project chat removes it from that project and its instructions, files and memory.
What it means for buyers: Locked Chats protects against shoulder-surfing on shared screens, not against OpenAI or legal process. If a team adopts it, the PIN-reset deletion rule belongs in the usage policy before anyone locks work chats.