Users who still rely on the ChatGPT Classic app were greeted today with a message informing them that the app will soon be retired. Separately, OpenAI is also preparing to merge ChatGPT and Work into a single interface. Here are the details.
ChatGPT Classic is going away
A few months ago, OpenAI released a new ChatGPT desktop app, which brought ChatGPT, Work, and Codex under a single interface. As a result, the regular ChatGPT app was renamed ChatGPT Classic.
The move proved controversial for two reasons. First, OpenAI replaced the native macOS app with an Electron-based version. Second, the new interface was extremely confusing, making it difficult to access regular ChatGPT conversations or even distinguish between ChatGPT, Work, and Codex.
OpenAI was quick to address some of the complaints, restoring direct access to conversationslong with a sidebar menu for switching between ChatGPT and Codex. The company has since introduced other changes to make the app easier to use
The ChatGPT Classic app, on the other hand, remained largely untouched and became increasingly less reliable as OpenAI released new models that were more tightly integrated with features exclusive to the new app, such as the ability to select different reasoning effort levels.
And as much as it felt like the writing had been on the wall for its demise, now we have a date. According to a new message displayed to users when they open ChatGPT Classic, the app will officially be retired on January 30, 2027.
“This app will retire on January 30, 2027. Get the latest features in the new ChatGPT app. Your full chat history comes with you, so you can pick up where you left off.”
Clicking on the banner leads users to the ChatGPT downloads page, where they can download the latest version of the desktop app.
OpenAI is merging ChatGPT and Work (and their allowances)
Meanwhile, OpenAI is informing users that it will begin testing a combined Chat and Work experience in the coming weeks.
The announcement comes a few months after OpenAI president Greg Brockman acknowledged that the new ChatGPT interface was “kind of a mess,” and said the company hoped to eliminate the Work tab by the end of the year, with its functionality becoming part of the regular ChatGPT experience.
Now, in an email sent to users, OpenAI explains that the test will start with a small group of users, who will be able to access ChatGPT’s conversational features and Work’s more advanced capabilities from the same interface:
This will enable you to move from exploring an idea to having ChatGPT carry it through, all in one place. You can bring in your files and plugins and ask ChatGPT to build a website, create a presentation, or do things for you on the web, while reviewing and guiding its work. Codex will remain a separate experience in the ChatGPT desktop app.
As part of the transition, OpenAI also plans to introduce a shared usage allowance for ChatGPT and Codex, replacing their separate limits.
According to the company, “most users won’t need to wait for their usage to reset more often than they do today.” OpenAI adds that “usage will depend on model and task, with more advanced models and complex tasks using more of your allowance. Unlimited Instant is included in your plan and will not draw from your usage.”
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