ChatGPT Temporary Chat vs incognito: what each one hides
Temporary Chat keeps a chat out of your history and training, but OpenAI may keep it for 30 days. Incognito only hides it from your own browser.
Table of contents
Short answer
Temporary Chat keeps a conversation out of your ChatGPT history and out of training, but OpenAI may still keep a copy for up to 30 days. Browser incognito mode only stops your browser saving history on your device. ChatGPT still receives and stores the chat as usual.
What is ChatGPT Temporary Chat?
Temporary Chat is a ChatGPT mode for a conversation that doesn't stick. It stays out of your chat history, doesn't create or update memories, and isn't used to train OpenAI's models [1]. OpenAI may still keep a copy for up to 30 days for safety reasons [2].
Does Temporary Chat use your memories?
It can. Before your first message you choose Personalized or Unpersonalized [1]. A Personalized temporary chat can read your existing memories, custom instructions and plugins, though it never adds new memories. An Unpersonalized one uses none of them. You can't switch once the chat starts.
What does incognito mode do?
Incognito mode only changes what your browser keeps on your device. Chrome doesn't save your history or site data from the session [3]. It does nothing to what websites receive: Google says the sites you visit may still see your activity, and signing in identifies you [3].
So ChatGPT in an incognito window works just like normal ChatGPT. If you're signed in, the chat is saved to your account, and if you haven't opted out, it can be used for training [4].
Temporary Chat vs incognito, side by side
| Temporary Chat | Incognito window | Both together | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden from your ChatGPT history | Yes | No, if signed in | Yes |
| Used to train OpenAI's models | No | Yes, unless you opted out | No |
| Creates new memories | No | Yes | No |
| Kept by OpenAI | Up to 30 days | Until you delete it | Up to 30 days |
| Left in your browser history | Yes | No | No |
What if you save a temporary chat?
It becomes a regular chat [1]. From then on it's kept in your history until you delete it, and follows the normal training setting.
Which should you use?
Use Temporary Chat when you don't want a conversation in your ChatGPT history or in training. Add incognito when you also don't want it in your browser history, for example on a shared computer. Neither stops OpenAI receiving what you type, and neither is end-to-end encrypted.
Is there a mode that keeps nothing at all?
Some private AI chats go further. In Prino, Ghost mode saves nothing on your device, remembers nothing and syncs nothing, and messages only go to models that don't keep them or train on them.
Common questions
- Is ChatGPT Temporary Chat really private?
- It is more private than a normal chat. It stays out of your history, does not create memories and is not used for training. OpenAI may still keep a copy for up to 30 days for safety.
- Does Temporary Chat use my memories?
- It can. A Personalized temporary chat can read your existing memories and custom instructions, though it never adds new ones. An Unpersonalized one uses none of them.
- Does incognito mode hide my chats from ChatGPT?
- No. Incognito only stops your browser keeping history and site data on your device. ChatGPT, and your network, can still see what you send, and signing in identifies you.
- What if I save a temporary chat?
- It becomes a regular chat and follows the normal rules, including training unless you opted out.
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