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Yes—but only for a limited transition period. After GPT-5 became ChatGPT’s default on August 7, 2025, OpenAI restored GPT-4o to the model picker for paid users, including Plus subscribers. OpenAI later announced that GPT-4o would leave ChatGPT on February 13, 2026; that retirement announcement said the API was unchanged at the time.
What changed when GPT-5 launched?
OpenAI rolled out GPT-5 on August 7, 2025, making it the default model for logged-in ChatGPT users. Paid subscribers, including Plus users, could choose models through a picker, including GPT-5 and GPT-5 Thinking. OpenAI described GPT-5 as a unified system able to route requests between faster and deeper-thinking modes. OpenAI’s GPT-5 launch announcement and its model release notes document the rollout and model-selection changes.
Why did OpenAI bring GPT-4o back?
Some users objected to GPT-5’s conversational personality and feel, shorter replies, perceived changes in task performance, and usage limits. Others were unhappy that earlier models had been replaced without warning. These were reported user reactions, not results from a controlled comparison of the models. Contemporary reporting on the complaints covered the response.
On August 8, 2025, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said Plus users would be able to keep choosing GPT-4o, while the company watched usage to decide how long to support legacy models. He also said Plus users’ GPT-5 rate limits would be doubled as the rollout finished. OpenAI’s August 12 release notes then stated, “4o is back in the model picker for all paid users by default.” The same update listed 3,000 GPT-5 Thinking messages per week for Plus users, followed by additional GPT-5 Thinking mini capacity. OpenAI’s release notes record these changes.
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Was GPT-4o’s return permanent?
No. OpenAI later characterized the return as a transition measure after feedback from a subset of Plus and Pro users. The company said those users needed more time to move key workflows, such as creative ideation, and preferred GPT-4o’s conversational style and warmth. Those statements describe user feedback; they do not establish that GPT-4o performed better in a general benchmark. OpenAI’s model release notes include the retirement announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When did GPT-4o leave ChatGPT?
OpenAI announced that GPT-4o would be retired from ChatGPT on February 13, 2026, along with GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and o4-mini. At the time of that announcement, OpenAI said the API was unchanged. The company also reported that 0.1% of users were still selecting GPT-4o each day. That figure was OpenAI’s usage report at the time of the retirement announcement, not a measure of all API use. See OpenAI’s release notes for the retirement details.
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What Plus users should take away
- GPT-5 became the default for logged-in ChatGPT users in August 2025, while paid tiers had a model picker.
- OpenAI restored GPT-4o for paid users, including Plus, after users raised concerns about tone, reply style, task behavior, and limits.
- The restored access gave users time to transition; it was not a promise of permanent GPT-4o availability in ChatGPT.
- OpenAI’s February 2026 announcement retired GPT-4o from ChatGPT and said the API was unchanged at that time.
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