Choose what you want removed
Deleting a conversation, deleting remembered information, changing a training preference and closing an OpenAI account are separate actions. Archiving a chat keeps it in the account. Switching off a use of future content does not establish that earlier model training has been reversed.
If your goal is to stop paying, check subscription cancellation before choosing permanent account deletion. If you want to remove one conversation, start with that conversation rather than the entire account.
Before you start
Use the ChatGPT download guide if you want a copy of your records. Save the export somewhere accessible after closure. You can choose to continue without it.
Check which account and workspace are open. Managed Business, Enterprise, Edu and Healthcare accounts need help from their organization rather than the personal self-service closure route. Review API access, shared work and other business responsibilities tied to the login before removing it.
Check app-store subscriptions separately. A provider account action does not necessarily finish a mobile-store cancellation. If the same login administers advertising or other business activity, ensure that activity and continuing charges are handled by an authorized person before closing the login.
On a phone
You can use the browser-based OpenAI Privacy Portal without relying on a particular app-menu version:
- Choose Make a Privacy Request.
- Select the consumer ChatGPT account option and then account deletion.
- Complete verification for the email or phone number already attached to that account.
- Review the account and scope, submit the request, and keep the confirmation.
If you prefer the app, open its account settings and use the deletion option offered for that account. Follow OpenAI's device-specific account-deletion help if the labels differ.
On a computer
- Sign in at ChatGPT.
- Open the account menu, then Settings → Account.
- Select Delete beside account deletion.
- Complete the requested account identification and final confirmation.
If you cannot sign in, use the Privacy Portal above. If you also cannot verify the account's existing contact method, use OpenAI Support for an ownership review. Never send a login code to SEED.
Keep the account and remove selected records
Open the conversation's menu and choose Delete when you want it removed. Choose Archive only when you want to hide it from the main list while retaining it. Read any bulk-delete confirmation carefully.
Open Settings → Personalization to review the memory controls available to your account. Review separately stored files or project content through their own controls. Do not assume that deleting a conversation also removes every associated memory or independently stored file.
Use the account's data controls to review future model-improvement preferences. Treat this as a use preference, with its own confirmation, rather than marking the account deleted.
What happens next
OpenAI describes account deletion as permanent and ordinarily deletes associated data within 30 days, with limited legal or other permitted retention exceptions. This is different from archiving. Keep the response that describes the scope actually processed.
If something goes wrong
For a managed workspace, contact the organization. For a personal account, use the Privacy Portal or the support route in the official help page. Identify the exact conversation, file, memory or account action that remains unresolved; avoid resending entire private conversations when a reference is sufficient.
Keep a record
Record the account, action and confirmation date. Keep training-preference changes, chat deletion, memory changes and account closure as separate outcomes. A new account later will not restore a deleted one.