OpenAI has officially retired several older ChatGPT models, including the popular GPT-4o. Starting February 13, 2026, this change helps standardize the platform on the new advanced GPT-5 series.
This move encourages users to shift to newer models, especially GPT-5.2. These updated models offer better personalization, improved creative capabilities, and fewer unnecessary rejections or overly agreeable responses, aligning with OpenAI’s goal to offer a consistent experience.
Key Aspects of the Model Retirement
- As of February 13, 2026, ChatGPT no longer supports GPT-4O, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, OpenAI-04 mini, and the previously announced GPT-5 (instant/slash thinking).
- Transition Focus, OpenAI reported that 99.9% of users had already shifted to newer versions, with GPT-5.2 accounting for the vast majority of daily active usage.
- API Continuity: This retirement applies solely to the ChatGPT consumer interface. API access to legacy models stays available for now, with developers receiving advance notice before future API sunsets.
- Enterprise Access: Business, Enterprise, and Edu customers can continue using legacy models through custom GPTs until April 3, 2026. After this date, these customers will no longer have access to legacy ChatGPT models.
New reasoning and customization standards: the move to GPT 5.1 and GPT 5.2 combines the best parts of older models, such as GPT 4.0’s warmer personality, into newer systems. These systems are also more flexible. New features include
- Selectable base styles. Users can select base tones: e.g., Friendlier, and adjust Warmth and Enthusiasm levels directly in Settings.
- Improved reasoning: the new models prioritize advanced analytical skills, coding, and multi-step reasoning over simpler one-shot chatbot functions.
- OpenAI is developing an 18-plus model for Child GPT. This model will offer greater freedom and reduced safeguards for adults.
This consolidation lets OpenAI accelerate innovation in personalization and creative performance. GPT-4 is rolling out now, bringing the latest advances in reasoning and agentic workflows to ChatGPT.
Alongside the retirement of GPT-5 Instant and Thinking, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 Mini, and OpenAI 404 Mini will also be unavailable on ChatGPT after February 13, 2026. There is no API change at this time.
In particular, while this announcement applies to several older models, GPT-4O deserves special context.
After we first deprecated it and later restored access during the GPT-5 release, we learned more about how people use GPT-4 in their day-to-day. We brought back GPT-4o after hearing clear feedback from some Plus and Pro users. They told us they needed more time to transition key use cases, such as creative ideation. They also prefer GPT-4’s dialogue style and warmth.
That feedback helped shape GPT 5.1 and GPT 5.2, leading to better personality, stronger support for creative ideas, and more ways to customize ChatGPT’s responses. You can now choose base styles and tones, like friendly, and adjust settings for warmth and enthusiasm. Our goal is to give people more control over how ChatGPT feels to use, not just what it can do.
We are announcing the retirement of GPT-40 now because improved models are available, and most users have already switched to GPT-5.2, with only 0.1 percent still using GPT-40 daily.
More generally, we are working to improve ChatGPT in areas users have identified as needing attention. This includes improving character and creativity, and reducing unnecessary refusals caused by overly cautious responses. Updates are coming soon. We are also developing a version of ChatGPT for adults over 18, focused on giving adults more choice and freedom with suitable safeguards to help us. To help with this, we have introduced age prediction for users under 18 in most markets.
We know changes like this take time to get used to. So, we are providing advance notice. Model access will change on February 13, 2026, and limited enterprise access will end on April 3, 2026. We understand that losing access to GPT-40 may be frustrating, and this decision was made with care. Retiring models helps us focus on improving the ones most people use now.
Source: Retiring GPT‑4o, GPT‑4.1, GPT‑4.1 mini, and OpenAI o4-mini in ChatGPT
