It’s hard to deny the amazing capabilities of an AI chatbot like ChatGPT. That being said, maybe you’ve been an OpenAI devotee (the makers of ChatGPT) for some time, and you’re ready to cancel your account. Fortunately, putting a pin in your ChatGPT profile isn’t overly difficult, and can be accomplished using a desktop PC or mobile device.
We also know a thing or two about all of the above, so we put together this guide to help you through your day of deletion.
Deleting your ChatGPT account: What to expect
There are some things you should be aware of before you choose to delete your ChatGPT account:
- Losing access to the account you deleted is immediate. You won't be able to log in and will be presented with an error page.
- Deletion is permanent. There is no way to get your account back.
- OpenAI also says that access to the API "will also be deleted."
- Account deletion also means all account data is also deleted, which includes "... profile, conversations, and API usage."
- If you delete your ChatGPT account, the associated email address or phone number can't then be used to create new accounts.
If you're not sure you want to proceed, but still have concerns with this tool, you could simply delete your ChatGPT history, which is quicker and less destructive.
How to delete a free ChatGPT account
Step 1: Log into your ChatGPT account and then select your username from the lower-left corner of your screen.
Step 2: From the menu that appears, choose Settings.
Step 3: Click Data controls in the left-hand column. Then, click the red Delete button.
Step 4: Read through the final disclaimer that tells you everything you'll lose if you delete your ChatGPT account. If you still want to move forward with the process, type your email address into the designated text box, followed by the word DELETE in the text box below it.
Step 5: A new button that says Permanently delete my account should appear. Click this, and your ChatGPT account shall exist no more.
How to delete a ChatGPT Plus account
A ChatGPT Plus unlocks numerous benefits for its paid subscribers, including access to ChatGPT-4 and other useful add-ons. You can also just as easily delete a ChatGPT Plus subscription, and similarly to how you would delete a free version of ChatGPT (save for a couple of UI differences). Here's what to do:
Step 1: Launch ChatGPT, and click My Plan from the left column of options.
Step 2: A pop-up menu should appear. Click the Manage my subscription option.
Step 3: On the last page, click Cancel Plan.
Do keep in mind that if you subscribed to ChatGPT Plus using an iPhone or Android device, you'll need to cancel your account through iOS or Android.
Can ChatGPT keep using your personal data?
Once you’ve deleted your ChatGPT free or paid account, OpenAI will maintain (but not necessarily use) a log of your personal data for up to 30 days. After 30 days, your data is permanently erased from OpenAI’s archives.
If your reason for deleting your account is privacy based, the developers have considered this. You can also use ChatGPT in privacy mode to keep your conversations hidden.
