OpenAI is officially removing several legacy language models from its ChatGPT interface starting February 13, 2026, marking a significant change in the way users interact with its AI. The decommissioning affects several models, including GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini and OpenAI o4-mini, as well as previously announced decommissioning of the GPT-5 Instant and GPT-5 Thinking variants. These changes apply to the ChatGPT product itself, while access via the API remains unchanged for now.
Known for its expressive tone, multilingual capabilities and multimodal features, GPT-4o was temporarily brought back after user resistance during the GPT-5 launch last year. However, with most users already gravitating toward newer versions like GPT-5.2, OpenAI says it’s time to retire these older systems and focus its development efforts on more current technologies.
What is changing and why it matters
The official deprecation means that starting today, these legacy models will simply no longer be selectable in the ChatGPT model menu for regular users. Conversations you had that relied on a now-retired model will automatically switch to a newer model like GPT-5.2 in the future. With custom apps, workflows, and saved chats, behavior remains seamless from the user’s perspective, although behind the scenes the model driving those interactions changes.
According to OpenAI, the move is not being taken lightly. Feedback from users who preferred the GPT-4o’s distinctive style and warmth helped shape the features of the newer models, such as: B. the personality and customization options in GPT-5.1 and GPT-5.2. However, overall usage of the older systems had declined to the point where only a fraction of daily users were still choosing them. However, there is a portion of the user base that really relied on the emotional support of the 4o model, and they seem pretty devastated.
This transition also has a practical side. From a security and maintenance perspective, having fewer legacy models to support means fewer resources are spent patching, hosting, and updating code for systems that most people no longer use. Looking at the bigger picture, however, this change underscores how quickly the world of generative AI continues to change. Models come, users adopt them, and eventually even popular systems give way to advances that promise greater speed, smarter responses, and more nuanced interaction. Even if some long-time fans aren’t quite ready to say goodbye just yet.
