Disable ChatGPT Chat History Training Data Usage

You can stop your chats from being used to improve ChatGPT by changing the data-control setting in your account. This does not necessarily erase existing chats or turn off chat history; it changes how eligible conversations are used for model improvement.

What You’ll Need

Access to your ChatGPT account through the website or an official mobile app.
A current internet connection. Menu labels and locations can vary slightly by app version or account type.

Step-by-Step

Sign in to ChatGPT. Open ChatGPT on the web or in the mobile app and sign in to the account whose data-use setting you want to change. If you have more than one account or workspace, check that you are in the right one.
Open the account menu. On the web, select your profile icon or name, usually near the lower-left corner. In the mobile app, open the side menu if needed, then tap your profile or account name.
Go to Settings. Select Settings, then look for Data Controls. Depending on the version, the section may be called Data Controls or be presented within a settings menu.
Turn off model-improvement use. Find the control labeled Improve the model for everyone and switch it off. If your account shows different wording, look for the data-control option that says whether your content may be used to improve or train models. Do not confuse this with a control for chat history display or memory.
Confirm the change if asked. Some versions may show a confirmation or explanation. Read it and confirm turning the option off. If there is no confirmation, check that the switch remains off after you leave and reopen the settings.
Repeat for other accounts or workspaces if necessary. Settings may be account-specific. If you use ChatGPT while signed into separate personal and work accounts, check the control in each account. For a managed workspace, an administrator may set or control data options.
Use Temporary Chat for a conversation you do not want saved in your normal history. Start a Temporary Chat using the option shown in the chat interface. Temporary Chats are not added to your regular history and are not used to improve models, but they may be retained for a limited period for safety purposes. Check the explanation shown in your account for current details.

After the setting is off, new conversations are generally excluded from model improvement, subject to the product’s terms and applicable exceptions. The setting is not a delete command: conversations already in your history can remain visible, and turning the option off does not automatically remove them. If you want chats removed from your account, delete them separately.

Common Mistakes

Assuming “chat history” and “training” mean the same thing. Chat history controls whether conversations appear in your account. The model-improvement setting controls whether eligible content may be used to improve models. Turning one off does not necessarily turn off the other.
Looking for a setting called “Disable chat history.” The relevant control is typically under Data Controls and may be named Improve the model for everyone. Labels can change, so read the description rather than relying only on an exact menu name.
Expecting past chats to disappear. Switching off model improvement does not delete existing conversations. Delete chats individually or use the available option to clear conversations if you want them removed from your visible history.
Changing the wrong account’s setting. If you switch between accounts, sign-in methods, or workspaces, verify which profile is active before changing the control.
Assuming Temporary Chat means immediate deletion from every system. Temporary conversations may be retained for a limited period for safety or operational reasons. Consult the in-product notice and current privacy information for details.

Tips

Recheck the setting after signing out and back in, or after switching devices, to confirm it is still off for the account you use.
Keep the distinction clear: turn off model improvement to limit use of eligible chats for training; delete conversations to remove them from your visible chat history; use Temporary Chat when you want a conversation that does not appear in normal history.
Review settings again after major interface updates. OpenAI may revise menu wording or the location of data controls.
For work or school accounts, ask the workspace administrator if a setting is unavailable or appears locked. Managed accounts can have different controls and policies.
Avoid entering sensitive information you do not need to share. A data-use setting is not a substitute for careful handling of personal or confidential information.

Troubleshooting

You cannot find Data Controls: Open the profile menu and inspect Settings carefully. On a phone, the section may be behind the side menu or lower down the settings list. Update the official app if the interface is outdated, or sign in on the web and check there.

The switch is missing or will not change: Confirm that you are signed into the intended account and not viewing a managed workspace with administrator-controlled settings. Refresh the page or close and reopen the app, then check again. If the control remains unavailable, use the account’s Help or support option rather than assuming the setting has changed.

The option switches back on: Verify that the change was saved by reopening Data Controls. If it does not persist, sign out and back in, try another supported browser or device, and check for app updates. Contact support if the setting repeatedly fails to stay off.

You still see older conversations: That is expected; turning off model improvement does not clear chat history. Delete the conversations you no longer want visible. If your goal is to remove account data more broadly, consult the account’s privacy or data-management options, which are separate from the training-use switch.

You used a different product or account: Check the settings for that specific service, account, or workspace. A change in one ChatGPT account should not be assumed to apply to another account or to other OpenAI services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off “Improve the model for everyone” delete my chats?
No. It changes the use of eligible conversations for model improvement; it does not automatically remove chats from your history. Delete chats separately if you want them removed from view.

Does turning it off disable chat history?
Not necessarily. The control is about model improvement, not whether regular chats appear in your history. Use Temporary Chat if you do not want a conversation added to normal history.

Will this apply to chats I already had?
Do not assume it retroactively changes how earlier conversations were handled. The setting is intended to govern eligible use going forward; consult the current data-control notice for the policy that applies to your account.

Are Temporary Chats used for training?
Temporary Chats are not used to improve models, according to the in-product description, but may be retained for a limited period for safety purposes. Review the notice presented when you start one.

Do I have to repeat this on every device?
The setting is associated with your account, so it should generally apply when you use that same account elsewhere. Check it on the account you are using, especially if you have multiple accounts or a managed workspace.

Can a work or school administrator control this?
Workspace settings may differ from personal accounts, and administrators may manage available controls. Ask your administrator if you cannot change the option.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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