Release Date: January 30, 2026
OpenAI has announced that it will retire the GPT-4o model from ChatGPT on February 13, 2026, along with GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and OpenAI o4-mini. This marks the official end of the once-popular GPT-4o model.
📉 Why Retire GPT-4o?
Extremely Low Usage Rate
OpenAI revealed a key statistic in its official announcement:
“Only 0.1% of users are still choosing GPT-4o each day”
This means that among all ChatGPT users, almost no one is using this former flagship model anymore.
The Rise and Fall of GPT-4o
Phase 1: Glory Days
- GPT-4o was OpenAI’s primary model
- Loved by users for its excellent performance and response speed
- Became the preferred choice for ChatGPT paid subscribers
Phase 2: GPT-5 Launch
- In 2025, OpenAI launched the more powerful GPT-5
- Users quickly switched to the new model
- GPT-4o usage rate plummeted
Phase 3: Brief Return
- Users expressed nostalgia for GPT-4o
- OpenAI restored GPT-4o access for paid users
- But usage rate remained low
Phase 4: Official Retirement
- Announced retirement on January 30, 2026
- Official shutdown on February 13
- Marks the end of the GPT-4o era
🗓️ Retirement Timeline
Models Being Retired
| Model Name | Retirement Date | Affected Users |
|---|---|---|
| GPT-4o | February 13, 2026 | Paid users |
| GPT-4.1 | February 13, 2026 | Paid users |
| GPT-4.1 mini | February 13, 2026 | Paid users |
| OpenAI o4-mini | February 13, 2026 | Paid users |
What Users Need to Do
For Regular Users:
- ✅ No action required
- ✅ System will automatically switch to GPT-5 or other available models
- ✅ Won’t affect normal usage
For API Users:
- ⚠️ Need to update model names in API calls
- ⚠️ Check model references in applications
- ⚠️ Test compatibility with new models
For Enterprise Users:
- ⚠️ Assess model dependencies in business processes
- ⚠️ Update internal documentation and training materials
- ⚠️ Confirm migration plan with OpenAI account manager
🔄 From GPT-4o to GPT-5: What’s Changed?
Performance Improvements
GPT-5 Advantages:
- 🚀 Faster Response Speed - 30% reduction in inference time
- 🧠 Stronger Understanding - Improved complex problem handling
- 📊 More Accurate Output - Lower error rate
- 🌐 Better Multilingual Support - Support for more languages and dialects
Feature Differences
GPT-5 New Features:
- ✅ Longer context window
- ✅ Better code generation capabilities
- ✅ Improved reasoning abilities
- ✅ More natural conversation flow
GPT-4o Characteristics (Soon to Disappear):
- ⚠️ Certain familiar response styles
- ⚠️ Specific output formats
- ⚠️ Certain edge case handling methods
💡 Impact on Users
1️⃣ Conversation History Preservation
Good News:
- ✅ All conversation history with GPT-4o will be preserved
- ✅ Can continue to view and search old conversations
- ✅ Can export conversation records
Recommendation: Use the ChatGPT2Notion ecosystem to backup important conversations:
- ChatGPT to Notion - Export to Notion database
- ChatGPT to Obsidian - Export to Obsidian notes
- Batch Export - Backup all conversations at once
2️⃣ Workflow Adjustments
Scenarios That May Need Adjustment:
Scenario 1: API Integration
# Old code (needs update)
response = openai.ChatCompletion.create(
model="gpt-4o", # ❌ Will fail after Feb 13
messages=[...]
)
# New code
response = openai.ChatCompletion.create(
model="gpt-5", # ✅ Recommended
messages=[...]
)Scenario 2: Automation Scripts
- Check model references in all scripts
- Update configuration files
- Test new model output formats
Scenario 3: Team Collaboration
- Notify team members of model changes
- Update internal documentation
- Retrain on using new model
3️⃣ Cost Impact
Pricing Comparison:
| Model | Input Price | Output Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-4o | $5/1M tokens | $15/1M tokens | Medium |
| GPT-5 | $10/1M tokens | $30/1M tokens | High |
| GPT-4.1 mini | $0.15/1M tokens | $0.60/1M tokens | Low |
Note: While GPT-5 is more expensive, its significant performance improvements may offer better value.
🔗 How to Backup GPT-4o Conversations?
Why Backup?
While conversation history will be preserved, backing up to a personal knowledge base has many benefits:
- 📚 Build Knowledge Base - Organize in Notion or Obsidian
- 🔍 Better Search - Use personal tools for searching
- 🔒 Data Security - Don’t depend on a single platform
- 📊 Data Analysis - Analyze your AI usage patterns
Recommended Backup Solutions
Solution 1: Batch Export All Conversations
Use ChatGPT to Notion or ChatGPT to Obsidian:
- Install browser extension
- Connect Notion or Obsidian
- Select “Batch Export”
- Filter GPT-4o conversations (by date range)
- One-click export all conversations
Solution 2: Selective Export of Important Conversations
- Browse conversation history
- Mark important conversations
- Export individually to knowledge base
- Add tags and categories
Solution 3: Regular Automatic Backup
Set up automatic backup rules:
- Auto-backup new conversations weekly
- Categorize by project or topic
- Keep knowledge base up-to-date
Backup Best Practices
1. Act Now
- Don’t wait until February 13
- Start backing up now
- Avoid last-minute chaos
2. Organize and Categorize
- Categorize by project
- Add tags
- Build an index
3. Verify Backup
- Check exported content
- Ensure correct formatting
- Test search functionality
4. Multiple Backups
- Export to Notion
- Also export to local files
- Follow 3-2-1 backup principle
🌐 Industry Impact
1️⃣ Shortened AI Model Lifecycle
Trend Observation:
- GPT-4o from launch to retirement in less than 2 years
- AI model iteration speed accelerating
- Users need to adapt to rapid changes
Insights for Enterprises:
- Don’t over-rely on specific models
- Build flexible AI integration architecture
- Maintain upgradeable tech stack
2️⃣ User Migration Costs
Challenges:
- API code needs updating
- Workflows need adjustment
- Teams need retraining
Opportunities:
- Upgrade to more powerful models
- Optimize existing processes
- Explore new features
3️⃣ Importance of Knowledge Management
Why It Matters:
- AI conversations contain valuable knowledge
- Model transitions shouldn’t mean data loss
- Personal knowledge base is a long-term asset
Solution: Use the ChatGPT2Notion ecosystem:
- Support multiple AI platforms (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, etc.)
- Unified knowledge management
- Not limited to a single platform
💼 Recommendations for Different User Groups
For Individual Users:
Action Checklist:
- Learn about GPT-5’s new features
- Backup important GPT-4o conversations
- Try using GPT-5
- Adjust personal workflows
Recommended Tools:
- ChatGPT to Notion - Backup to Notion
- ChatGPT to Obsidian - Backup to Obsidian
For Developers:
Action Checklist:
- Review all API calls
- Update model references
- Test new model compatibility
- Update documentation and comments
- Notify users of model changes
Technical Recommendations:
- Use environment variables to manage model names
- Implement model version control
- Build fallback mechanisms
For Enterprise Users:
Action Checklist:
- Assess business impact
- Develop migration plan
- Train employees on new model
- Update internal documentation
- Confirm support with OpenAI
Strategic Recommendations:
- Build multi-model strategy
- Don’t over-rely on single vendor
- Invest in knowledge management systems
🔮 Future Outlook
Rapid AI Model Iteration
Predictions:
- Model lifecycles will continue to shorten
- Major updates every 6-12 months possible
- Users need to adapt to continuous change
Coping Strategies:
- Build flexible technical architecture
- Maintain learning and adaptation capabilities
- Use knowledge management tools to save important information
OpenAI’s Product Strategy
Observations:
- Focus on latest, most powerful models
- Quickly phase out old models
- Push users to upgrade
User Strategy:
- Stay updated on new features
- But don’t blindly chase new releases
- Choose models based on actual needs
📚 Related Reading
- How to Batch Export All ChatGPT Conversations at Once
- OpenAI Launches Prompt Packs: Professional Prompt Libraries for 9 Career Roles
- Nvidia-OpenAI $100 Billion Deal on Hold
Summary: OpenAI’s retirement of GPT-4o marks a new normal of rapid AI model iteration. Users need to adapt to this change, backup important conversations promptly, and upgrade to new models. Using knowledge management tools like ChatGPT2Notion can help you maintain data continuity during model transitions and build long-term personal knowledge assets.
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