ChatGPT is rolling out Locked Chats, a feature that keeps selected saved conversations out of regular history, pinned chats and ordinary search. Opening them requires a four-digit account PIN or supported mobile device authentication.
OpenAI’s October 20 release notes describe a gradual rollout. The help documentation lists Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu, while excluding ChatGPT for Healthcare. Access may not have reached every eligible account.
How to lock and reopen a conversation
Open an eligible conversation’s three-dot menu, choose Lock chat and confirm. Create or enter the account PIN when prompted. To return, select Projects, then Locked chats, authenticate and choose the conversation. Select Lock now when finished to end access immediately.
The feature supports web, iOS and Android, and the new macOS and Windows desktop apps. Codex conversations and local Work conversations cannot be locked. If the control is missing, rollout or conversation eligibility may explain its absence; buying a different plan is not a verified remedy.
A lock does not replace data controls
Locking does not add end-to-end encryption, change retention or alter the model-improvement setting. Information remembered before locking is not erased. Organizational policies still apply; eligible Enterprise and Edu messages remain available through authorized compliance systems.
A previously shared link is not deleted by locking the chat. Remove that link separately to stop access to the content it already shared. OpenAI also warns that other open devices may display previously loaded material until they refresh, so check them before screen sharing.
Read the PIN warning before resetting
Resetting a forgotten account PIN permanently deletes locked chats and memories, files or other content protected only by the old PIN. OpenAI says Support cannot recover it. Changing a known PIN is a different action and preserves locked chats.
For users keeping private work or personal conversations, the feature offers an additional access step within ChatGPT. Whether that is sufficient depends on what information is being stored, who can access the account and which workspace rules apply.