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ChatGPT may tailor replies using saved memories, relevant details from earlier conversations, Custom Instructions, and—depending on your account—information from files or connected apps. To see or change these sources, open Settings > Personalization. Turning off one control does not necessarily erase information stored elsewhere, so the right steps depend on whether you want to stop future personalization, remove a remembered detail, or delete the conversation or file it came from.
What ChatGPT may use to personalize answers
OpenAI says ChatGPT can use saved memories and relevant information from past conversations. Depending on your plan, region, platform, and workspace settings, personalization may also involve Custom Instructions, Library files, or connected apps. ChatGPT does not search every past conversation for every reply; it looks for relevant context when it is likely to improve the answer. The Memory summary is a high-level view, not necessarily a complete inventory. OpenAI’s Memory FAQ describes these controls and qualifications.
These sources serve different purposes. Memory and past-chat references supply context; Custom Instructions are direct guidance you set. A Temporary Chat is a mode for one conversation, while model-improvement settings govern a separate use of data.
Choose the control that matches what you want
| Control | What it changes | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Reference chat history | Stops ChatGPT from using information remembered from past chats for personalization, if the control is available. | Does not delete the original chats or saved memories. |
| Saved memories | Lets you review, edit, or remove details saved as memories. | Turning it off does not delete chats or necessarily remove information held in other places. |
| Custom Instructions | Changes the direct preferences or guidance you provide to ChatGPT. | Does not erase saved memories or past conversations. |
| Temporary Chat | Provides a one-conversation option that does not create or update memories while temporary. | It may still use existing memories and Custom Instructions unless you choose the unpersonalized option at the start. |
| Improve the model for everyone | Controls a separate model-improvement use of data. | Does not hide or delete saved chats or change Memory personalization. OpenAI’s Data Controls FAQ explains this distinction. |
Review, correct, or remove saved memories
- Open Settings > Personalization > Memory.
- Review the available Memory controls. Depending on your account’s Memory experience, you may see Memory, Reference saved memories, Reference chat history, a summary, and management tools.
- Ask ChatGPT what it remembers, correct a detail, or remove it using the controls available in your account.
OpenAI cautions that “Turning off Memory does not delete your past chats.” If a detail should be removed, consider whether it also appears in a conversation, archived chat, Library file, or connected app. Deleting a chat alone may leave a separately saved memory; removing a saved memory alone may leave the conversation containing the detail.
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Stop using information from past chats
If your account offers Reference chat history, turn it off under Settings > Personalization > Memory. OpenAI says information remembered from past chats is scheduled for deletion from its systems within 30 days after this setting is turned off. Your original chats remain unless you delete them separately, and this action does not delete saved memories.
Delete a remembered detail from all the places it appears
For a more complete removal, check each source where the information may be stored rather than relying on a single toggle:
- Delete the relevant saved memory using the Memory controls.
- Delete the chat where you shared or discussed the detail, including an archived chat if applicable.
- Check Library files for copies of the information and remove any relevant file.
- Review connected apps. Disconnecting an app prevents future access, but does not delete past conversations that used its content.
OpenAI’s Memory FAQ notes that removing information can require deleting both the saved memory and the chat where it originated, along with checking other places where it appears.
Change direct response preferences
Go to Settings > Personalization > Custom Instructions to manage the guidance you give ChatGPT—for example, your preferred response style or recurring preferences. Custom Instructions are direct instructions; Memory is contextual information that may develop from conversations and other available sources. See OpenAI’s Custom Instructions guide for more about that feature.
Use Temporary Chat for a one-off conversation
- Start a new chat and select the unpersonalized option at the beginning of the conversation, if it is available.
- Do not wait until later to change that choice: OpenAI says the personalization choice cannot be changed after the conversation begins.
- Use the conversation knowing that Temporary Chats do not create or update memories and do not appear in history unless saved.
A Temporary Chat can still refer to existing memories and Custom Instructions if you choose a personalized version. OpenAI says it may retain a copy of a Temporary Chat for up to 30 days for safety purposes. Saving the chat converts it to a regular chat subject to your account settings. Details are in OpenAI’s Temporary Chat FAQ.
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Memory and personalization options vary by plan, region, platform, and workspace, and labels or availability can change. Managed workspace accounts may have administrator-controlled settings; contact your workspace administrator if a control is unavailable. OpenAI also says personalization controls do not disable limited safety and security uses of context in rare, high-risk situations.
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