OpenAI is rolling out Locked Chats in ChatGPT, letting users move selected conversations out of their regular history, pinned chats and search into a protected space. Locked chats open with a four-digit account PIN on web and desktop, or a PIN, Face ID, Touch ID or device unlock on supported mobile devices.

The October 20 release notes describe a gradual rollout across Free, Go, Plus and Pro, with Business, Enterprise and Education tiers also included, so the option may not appear in every account at once. New information remembered inside a locked chat stays separate from regular conversations, though memories saved before a chat was locked are not automatically removed.

There are sharp edges. Locking a chat does not change OpenAI's retention or training settings for it, and if you forget the PIN and reset it, the protected chats and their related content are permanently deleted. The feature also does not cover temporary sessions, archived threads, group chats or Codex conversations.