OpenAI officially retired the GPT-4o model on February 13, removing it and several other older versions from the ChatGPT interface. The decision follows a January announcement detailing the discontinuation, which also affected GPT-5, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and OpenAI o4-mini. The company had previously delisted GPT-4o in August to prioritize the newer GPT-5 model, but user backlash prompted a temporary restoration of access. However, OpenAI provided only a two-week notice before the final shutdown, citing a significant drop in daily engagement as the primary reason for the permanent removal.
Usage data released by the company indicates a decisive shift toward newer technology. OpenAI stated that “the vast majority of usage has shifted to GPT-5.2, with only 0.1 percent of users still choosing GPT-4o each day.” The model was frequently characterized by users as more conversational and sometimes sycophantic compared to its successors. Beyond user preference statistics, the retirement occurs while OpenAI faces legal challenges, including several wrongful death lawsuits that specifically name the GPT-4o model in their filings.
Despite the statistical rationale and legal context, a vocal segment of the user base has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the decision. Many users have mourned the removal of the specific personality traits associated with GPT-4o, leading to calls for OpenAI to release the model’s code as open-source software. This reaction mirrors the sentiment observed during the model’s initial delisting in August, though the company has maintained its position that access will not be restored this time.
