ChatGPT users report disappearing memories as a glitch wiped saved data, though OpenAI says it’s fixed.
Memory feature personalises chats by storing user preferences, but losing it clears all context.
Users advised to back up manually by copying details from “Manage Memories” to prevent data loss.
Reddit has recently been flooded with complaints from ChatGPT users reporting that their saved ChatGPT memories have disappeared without warning. “Everything is just gone,” one user wrote, echoing the frustration of many others. While the memory feature is designed to make interactions more personal by remembering preferences and past conversations, it appears to have temporarily failed. OpenAI also confirmed that a glitch was responsible for the issue and said it has since been resolved. However, several users continue to report missing or incomplete data. The memory feature is particularly valuable for frequent users of ChatGPT, and the loss of stored preferences has sparked concern about data reliability. Fortunately, here’s how you can save yourself from losing this information in the future.
SurveyWhat do ChatGPT memories do?
ChatGPT’s memory feature helps the AI remember important things about you over time, making your chats feel more personal and consistent. Rather than starting fresh each time you have a new conversation, ChatGPT can use what it already knows to make replies more helpful and relevant.
For example, it remembers your name, your writing style, or tone preferences, and even your work-related projects, such as whether you are a student preparing for UPSC, a software developer building a startup, or even a content creator planning YouTube scripts. This, over time, helps the AI respond in a manner that matches your goals, cultural context, and communicative habits.
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ChatGPT securely saves small pieces of context to improve continuity between chats, such as recalling that you prefer short summaries and Hindi-English mixed responses when memory is enabled.
However, if this feature stops working, or if the saved data is cleared or lost, all previously remembered details will be erased. This effectively resets ChatGPT to its default state, meaning it will no longer recall your preferences or past discussions. You would then need to reintroduce any important details, just like starting fresh.
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How to check if your ChatGPT memory is active
If you’re unsure whether your memory feature is still active, you can check it by following these steps:
- Open the ChatGPT app or website.
- Go to your profile and select Personalisation.
- Make sure that both “Reference saved memories” and “Reference chat history” are turned on.
These toggles ensure ChatGPT continues to save and reference details about you across conversations.
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How to back up your ChatGPT memories
While OpenAI hasn’t yet introduced an automated backup option, you can still manually save your data to avoid future loss. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings > Personalisation. Please locate the Memories section and select the Manage button.
- Now, you can verify all the details ChatGPT remembers about you.
- Copy the information and paste it into a document or notepad file.
This manual backup ensures you have a record of your stored information in case of another glitch.
Restoring lost memories manually
If your ChatGPT memories disappear, try logging out and logging back in, as some users have reported success with this method. Unfortunately, there’s no direct way to import backups into ChatGPT’s memory settings yet. To restore them, you’ll have to manually re-enter each one by typing: “Remember that [add all the details about you].”
Although tedious, this step-by-step approach allows ChatGPT to rebuild your personalised experience gradually.
While OpenAI says the memory issue has been fixed, some users reported that they are still facing disruptions. Until the feature becomes more stable, taking regular backups and keeping personalisation toggles enabled remains the safest approach.
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Bhaskar Sharma
Bhaskar is a senior copy editor at Digit India, where he simplifies complex tech topics across iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and emerging consumer tech. His work has appeared in iGeeksBlog, GuidingTech, and other publications, and he previously served as an assistant editor at TechBloat and TechReloaded. A B.Tech graduate and full-time tech writer, he is known for clear, practical guides and explainers. View Full Profile
