OpenAI has announced that it will retire several older AI models from its ChatGPT service on February 13, 2026, including the popular GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini and the OpenAI o4-mini model, bringing an end to their availability in the ChatGPT interface as the company focuses on newer systems like GPT-5.2 that have become the dominant choice for users.
In a blog post on the company website, OpenAI explained that it is phasing out these models because most people now use the latest generation of AI technology, particularly GPT-5.2, and only a very small portion of users, about 0.1 percent, still chose GPT-4o. The company initially retired GPT-4o when GPT-5 launched last year but restored access after feedback from some users who valued GPT-4o’s more conversational style and creative capabilities during tasks like ideation. The improvements from that feedback have since been built directly into the newer GPT-5.1 and GPT-5.2 models.
Under the changes, the older models will no longer appear as options in ChatGPT after February 13, but they will remain accessible through the OpenAI API for now. OpenAI aims to give users a smoother, more consistent experience with its best current models and says it will provide advance notice before retiring any models from the API. Support pages note that existing conversations using the older models will continue until the retirement date, and after that point they will automatically default to GPT-5.2.
The decision reflects a broader shift in how OpenAI manages its AI offerings, with a drive toward unifying performance and reducing complexity as newer versions outpace their predecessors. While OpenAI says it made the move with careful consideration, some users have expressed disappointment online, asking for options like a legacy access tier or open-source releases to keep using preferred models. Discussions on platforms like Reddit highlight that a number of people still rely on the output style and behavior of older models for specific tasks.
For most users, the retirement will bring little change beyond the disappearance of older options, as the advanced capabilities of GPT-5.2 are meant to cover a wide range of creative, conversational and practical needs. OpenAI continues to develop its AI models and has signaled that it will keep refining how ChatGPT feels and responds, with customisation, personality and creative tools central to its updates going forward.
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