OpenAI to Retire GPT-4o from ChatGPT in 2026

OpenAI announced Thursday that it will retire several older AI models from its ChatGPT platform on February 13, 2026, including the popular GPT-4o, to streamline development and focus resources on newer versions used by the majority of customers.

The retirement affects GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and o4-mini within ChatGPT's consumer interface and in-app model selector. OpenAI emphasized that the changes will not impact its application programming interface, meaning developers relying on these models through APIs will face no immediate disruptions. The move aligns with a previously planned phase-out of GPT-5 Instant and GPT-5 Thinking, reflecting a broader effort to refresh the platform's model lineup.

GPT-4o, released in May 2024, drew particular attention in the announcement due to its enduring appeal among some users. The model became known for its warm and supportive conversational style, which resonated especially with paid subscribers for tasks like creative ideation and brainstorming. In August 2024, OpenAI briefly removed access to GPT-4o following the launch of GPT-5, but reversed the decision within days after receiving feedback from Plus and Pro users who requested...