OpenAI Retired GPT-4o in February 2026: What Was Removed
OpenAI retired GPT-4o from ChatGPT on February 13, 2026. Other models were retired the same day. This article sums up what was removed, what stayed on the API, and where you can still use 4o today.
What OpenAI retired
On February 13, 2026, OpenAI removed GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and o4-mini from the ChatGPT product. Users could no longer select these models in the ChatGPT interface. The company said only a small fraction of users were still choosing 4o daily and that they had folded 4o's strengths into newer models (e.g. GPT-5.1, GPT-5.2). Existing chats defaulted to a newer model. Business, Enterprise, and Edu customers kept 4o in Custom GPTs until April 3, 2026.
What did not change: the API
The GPT-4o model stayed on the OpenAI developer API. So the retirement was only for ChatGPT the product, not for the model itself. Developers and apps that use the API (like Get4oBack) can still call GPT-4o. If you want 4o, you use the API directly or a chat app that uses it.
Where to use 4o after the retirement
Get4oBack connects to the GPT-4o API and gives you a ChatGPT-style interface. Same model, familiar layout, clear limits. We also offer Our-4o so you have continuity if the API is ever retired too. The February 2026 change only affected ChatGPT; 4o is still available elsewhere.
User reaction and next steps
Many users were surprised by the retirement and looked for ways to keep using 4o. If that is you, the path is clear: use a chat app that runs on the GPT-4o API (like Get4oBack) or call the API yourself if you are a developer. You can also import your ChatGPT history into Get4oBack Pro so your old conversations come with you. No need to wait for OpenAI to bring 4o back to ChatGPT - it may not happen. The API and API-based apps are the way forward.
Business and Edu extensions
OpenAI kept 4o in Custom GPTs for Business, Enterprise, and Edu until April 3, 2026. After that, those customers also lost 4o in ChatGPT. If you were on one of those plans and relied on 4o in Custom GPTs, the same options apply: use the API or an app like Get4oBack. Get4oBack is not tied to OpenAI org plans - you sign up individually and get 4o regardless of your employer or school. So the retirement date is the same for everyone in ChatGPT; the alternative (API and chat apps) is open to all.
Summary
OpenAI retired GPT-4o from ChatGPT on February 13, 2026. The model remains on the API. Use an API-based chat app like Get4oBack to keep using 4o. Import your ChatGPT history on Pro if you switch.