OpenAI has officially disabled the GPT‑4o model inside its ChatGPT service, marking the end of one of the most talked-about AI experiences in recent years. The change took effect on February 13, 2026, when GPT‑4o and several other older models were removed from the ChatGPT model picker as the company pushes users toward its newer lineup, especially GPT‑5.2.
What Happened
GPT‑4o shorthand for “omni” was a multimodal AI model able to handle text, images, and audio and quickly gained a devoted user base for its warm, conversational tone and expressive personality. Launched in May 2024, it became a signature part of ChatGPT’s appeal and was briefly reinstated in 2025 after an earlier attempt to retire it triggered user backlash.
Despite that, OpenAI confirmed that GPT‑4o, GPT‑4.1, GPT‑4.1 mini, OpenAI o4‑mini, and GPT‑5 (Instant and Thinking) are no longer available in ChatGPT as of mid‑February 2026. These models may continue to be accessible via the API for developers for a limited time, but in the ChatGPT interface they’ve been removed.
Why the Retirement
According to OpenAI, the retirement reflects a strategic shift toward newer, more capable models that serve the bulk of users’ needs. GPT‑4o’s daily usage had dwindled to a small percentage, with most users moving to GPT‑5.2 and related successors. Consolidating older models allows OpenAI to focus development on the latest AI advancements.
Community Reaction and Backlash
The shutdown has sparked significant emotional response and online pushback:
- Users have expressed grief and frustration, with some describing GPT‑4o as more than just a tool, a companion, creative partner, or emotional support system.
- A #keep4o campaign emerged on social media and community forums urging OpenAI to reconsider or restore access.
- Some communities are exploring alternative hosting projects attempting to “preserve” the original GPT‑4o experience.
At the same time, critics have pointed to safety concerns that partly motivated the decision, arguing that GPT‑4o’s highly agreeable responses and emotional resonance sometimes led users into problematic emotional dependency or other risky situations, an issue highlighted by TechCrunch and other outlets.
What’s Next
With GPT‑4o retired from ChatGPT, users are directed toward GPT‑5.2, which aims to maintain strong conversational quality while adding improved safety and broader capabilities. OpenAI’s official help documentation notes that enterprise customers and custom GPT deployments retain access to some legacy models for a limited transition period (through early April 2026).
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