OpenAI to Stop GPT-4o on February 13 as GPT-5 Takes the Top

OpenAI has officially announced the retirement of several of its older ChatGPT models. Most notably, the popular GPT-4o model, along with GPT-4.1 and o4-mini, will be phased out of the ChatGPT interface on February 13, 2026.

The decision, detailed in a recent company blog post, signals OpenAI’s aggressive push toward its newest flagship models: GPT-5.1 and GPT-5.2. While technology moves fast, the departure of GPT-4o has sparked a wave of nostalgia and frustration among a dedicated segment of the user base who feel they are losing a digital companion rather than just a piece of software.

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OpenAI’s reasoning for the sunset” is largely mathematical. According to the company, the vast majority of ChatGPT’s 800 million weekly users have already migrated to the GPT-5 series. Internal data suggests that only 0.1% of daily users still actively select GPT-4o.

By retiring these older frameworks, OpenAI aims to streamline its infrastructure and focus its engineering resources on enhancing the personality and creativity of the newer models. The company emphasized that GPT-5.2 offers superior customization, allowing users to choose specific conversational styles ranging from professional and clinical to warm and enthusiastic.

“Our goal is to give people more control over how ChatGPT feels to use, not just what it can do,” the company stated, defending the transition as a necessary step in the evolution of AI.

Despite the low usage statistics cited by OpenAI, the announcement has been met with a sharp backlash on social media, particularly from paid Plus subscribers. For many, GPT-4o was more than just a tool; it was praised for its human-like warmth and its ability to handle creative tasks without the preachy or overly cautious tone often found in newer iterations.

One long-time user took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their disappointment, describing the move as a digital eviction. The user argued that for those who used the model for late-night talks, coping strategies, and creative brainstorming, the shutdown feels like ripping up living roots.

This is not the first time GPT-4o has been on the chopping block. In August 2025, OpenAI briefly removed the model following the launch of GPT-5, only to restore it after a massive user outcry. At the time, CEO Sam Altman promised users they would receive ample notice before any permanent retirement. With the February 13 deadline looming, it seems that notice has finally been served.

While GPT-4o will vanish from the ChatGPT web and mobile apps, there is a silver lining for developers: the retirement currently only affects the consumer-facing interface. OpenAI clarified that the API (Application Programming Interface) will remain unaffected for now, allowing businesses and developers to continue using the older models in their own applications.

As OpenAI prepares for this transition, the broader AI landscape continues to heat up. Competitors like Google, with its Gemini 3 Pro, are constantly nipping at OpenAI’s heels, offering their own versions of complex reasoning and deep thinking modes.

For the average user, the message is clear: the AI revolution waits for no one. On February 13, the digital sun sets on GPT-4o, making way for a future dominated by the GPT-5 era whether users are ready for it or not.