OpenAI has confirmed that it’s retiring ChatGPT’s most popular model, called GPT-4o, and several other models, including GPT-5 Instant, GPT-5 Thinking, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and o4-mini.
In a support document, OpenAI confirmed that it made the ultimate decision to retire GPT-4o after GPT 5.2 started to live up to expectations.
“On February 13, 2026, alongside the previously announced retirement of GPT-5 (Instant and Thinking), we will retire GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and OpenAI o4-mini from ChatGPT. In the API, there are no changes at this time,” OpenAI said in a statement.
GPT-4o is a special model because it felt more personal and warm. In fact, OpenAI had to bring it back after user backlash.
“We brought GPT-4o back after hearing clear feedback from a subset of Plus and Pro users, who told us they needed more time to transition key use cases, like creative ideation, and that they preferred GPT-4o’s conversational style and warmth.”
OpenAI says feedback from those who love and still use GPT-4o shaped the development of GPT 5.1 and GPT 5.2, but now it’s time to say goodbye to the old model.
Source: BleepingComputer
Ahead of the retirement, OpenAI already rolled out the Personality feature, which also makes it easier to customize your AI experience and bring it in line with GPT-4o.
However, unlike GPT 5.2, which plays safe, GPT-4o was unhinged, and that explains why users preferred it over newer models, such as GPT 5, 5.1, or even GPT 5.2.
“We’re announcing the upcoming retirement of GPT-4o today because these improvements are now in place, and because the vast majority of usage has shifted to GPT-5.2, with only 0.1% of users still choosing GPT-4o each day,” the company said.
OpenAI plans to continue working on ChatGPT personalization and integrating new safeguards.
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