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How to use Temporary chat in ChatGPT

Start a new chat and turn on Temporary chat at the top before you type. It isn't saved to your history and doesn't update ChatGPT's memory.

How to do it

  1. Start a new chat.

  2. Turn Temporary chat on before you type. The control is at the top of a new chat. If you do not see it, open the chat options and look for Temporary.

  3. Leave personalization off for that chat if you also do not want existing custom instructions and memories pulled in.

  4. Do not paste passwords, identity numbers, or private keys. Temporary is not a vault.

If you save the conversation, it becomes a regular chat and the point of the mode is gone. For standing rules you do want remembered, use custom instructions instead.

Questions people ask

Is a temporary chat completely private?

No. OpenAI may keep a copy for up to 30 days for safety checks. Don't paste passwords or ID numbers.

Does a temporary chat use my custom instructions?

Not unless you turn personalization on for that chat.

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