CHATGPT MEMORY
What ChatGPT remembers.
ChatGPT has two kinds of memory and they behave differently. Everything below is dated, and comes from OpenAI's own documentation unless marked otherwise.
Last verified
What does ChatGPT remember?
Two separate things: saved memories, which you create deliberately, and reference chat history, which reads across your past conversations. They are controlled separately.
Is memory on by default in the UK?
No. In the EEA, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, both saved memories and reference chat history are off by default and must be turned on.
Can ChatGPT read an outside memory store?
Yes, through a custom MCP connector. Custom connectors require Developer Mode, which OpenAI lists as available on Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu accounts on the web. OpenAI's own documentation is currently inconsistent about write actions: its developer guide describes full read and write support on those plans, while its help centre article describes write actions as a beta limited to Business, Enterprise and Edu. These appear to be two different mechanisms sharing a name. Check in your own account before relying on write actions.
The two mechanisms
ChatGPT has two memory mechanisms: saved memories, which you create deliberately, and reference chat history, which reads across your past conversations.
Verified . Primary source.
Reference chat history launched on 10 April 2025 for Plus and Pro, and was extended to free accounts around June 2025.
Verified . Primary source.
The UK and EEA default
In the EEA, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, both saved memories and reference chat history are off by default and must be turned on.
Verified . Primary source.
Reading an outside store
Custom connectors require Developer Mode, which OpenAI lists as available on Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu accounts on the web. OpenAI's own documentation is currently inconsistent about write actions: its developer guide describes full read and write support on those plans, while its help centre article describes write actions as a beta limited to Business, Enterprise and Edu. These appear to be two different mechanisms sharing a name. Check in your own account before relying on write actions.
Verified . Primary source: OpenAI's own documentation, which is self-contradictory on this point between its developer guide and its help centre article.
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