OpenAI has started rolling out one of its most useful features — chat memory — to free users of ChatGPT. Previously, this capability was only available to those on paid plans, but now a light version of memory is accessible even without a subscription.
A “Light” Version of Memory for Everyone
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced the update on social media platform X. According to Altman, free users will now benefit from limited memory functionality. This means ChatGPT can remember parts of previous conversations, offering a more personalized and connected chat experience — though long-term memory and deeper personalization remain exclusive to Pro and Plus subscribers.
With memory enabled, ChatGPT can recall small but useful details — like your favorite food — and mention them in future conversations, making interactions feel more natural over time.
New Settings for Transparency and Control
Users now have access to a dedicated memory settings section, where they can:
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View what the chatbot remembers
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See which parts of a conversation triggered memory storage
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Manually manage or delete stored memories
The feature is turned on by default for most users globally. However, due to regional regulations, users in the European Union, United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein must enable it manually.
Final Thoughts
This update brings one of ChatGPT’s most powerful tools to a wider audience. While free users don’t get the full experience of memory like paid subscribers, this light version is a big step toward more intuitive, personalized AI interactions.