# ChatGPT adds Locked Chats to hide conversations behind a PIN

By Steven Van · 2026-10-20

Move sensitive chats out of your history and search into a locked space you open with a PIN or Face ID, rolling out to Free and paid plans.

[ChatGPT](<https://creatorstoolbox.com/tools/chatgpt>) introduced Locked Chats on October 20, a way to keep sensitive conversations out of view. You can move a chat out of your regular history and search into a protected space that only opens with a PIN or your device’s own unlock.

[View media](<https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/2112597507310305280/vid/avc1/3840x2160/TXTTh_md33ZoDYON.mp4>)

Official Locked Chats announcement demo.

## How it works

To lock a conversation, open the chat’s more options menu (•••) and select Lock chat. Locked chats are hidden from your regular chat history, pinned chats and search, and you find them under Projects, then Locked chats.

On the web and desktop, you unlock them with a 4-digit account PIN. On supported mobile devices, you can also use Face ID, Touch ID or your device unlock. New messages you send in a locked chat won’t update the memory used in your regular chats.

## What it doesn’t change

OpenAI’s release notes say your retention and model-improvement settings stay the same for locked chats. The help center adds that opening a locked chat doesn’t move it back into your regular history or search.

## Availability

ChatGPT says Locked Chats are rolling out starting October 20 to Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu plans. OpenAI’s release notes describe a gradual rollout on the web, in the iOS and Android apps, and in the ChatGPT desktop app for macOS and Windows, so the Lock chat option may not appear for everyone right away.

## Why it matters

People use ChatGPT for health, money and work questions on shared laptops and phones, and while screen sharing. Locked Chats let you keep those conversations without deleting them or leaving them one click away in the sidebar.

Sources: [ChatGPT’s announcement and demo](<https://x.com/ChatGPT/status/2112597766333673624>), [OpenAI’s ChatGPT release notes](<https://help.openai.com/en/articles/6825453-chatgpt-release-notes>) and [the OpenAI help center](<https://help.openai.com/en/articles/10056348-finding-your-chats-projects-and-files-in-chatgpt>).

[Read ChatGPT adds Locked Chats to hide conversations behind a PIN on Creators Toolbox](<https://creatorstoolbox.com/blog/chatgpt-locked-chats-pin>)

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