OpenAI will remove access to GPT-4o and several other legacy models from ChatGPT on Feb. 13, 2026, citing a nearly total user migration to its newer GPT-5 series.
The retirement affects GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and OpenAI o4-mini. These changes apply specifically to the ChatGPT consumer interface; the company confirmed there are no changes to model availability via the API at this time. The move coincides with the previously announced sunsetting of the GPT-5 "Instant" and "Thinking" variants.
The discontinuation of GPT-4o marks the end of a transitional period for the model. OpenAI previously deprecated the model but restored access following feedback from a subset of Plus and Pro users who preferred its "warmth" and conversational style for creative tasks.
However, the company reports that daily usage of GPT-4o has since dropped to approximately 0.1%, with the vast majority of traffic shifting to GPT-5.2. OpenAI attributed this shift to recent updates in GPT-5.1 and GPT-5.2, which introduced enhanced personality controls and distinct style settings, such as "Friendly," designed to replicate the conversational traits users valued in older iterations.
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While acknowledging that the removal of legacy models may cause friction for a small fraction of the user base, OpenAI stated that consolidating resources around the GPT-5 ecosystem allows for more focused improvements on the models currently driving the platform's usage.
Strategic Focus On Customization And "Adult" Use
In its announcement, OpenAI emphasized a broader strategy to refine ChatGPT’s responsiveness. The company is working to reduce "unnecessary refusals" and "preachy" outputs, aiming to provide a user experience designed for adults. This initiative includes a commitment to "treating adults like adults" and expanding user freedom within safety guardrails. To support this tier of access, age prediction technology has been deployed for users under 18 in most markets.While acknowledging that the removal of legacy models may cause friction for a small fraction of the user base, OpenAI stated that consolidating resources around the GPT-5 ecosystem allows for more focused improvements on the models currently driving the platform's usage.
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