OpenAI Retires GPT-4o, Sparking Emotional Backlash From Dedicated Users

OpenAI has officially removed the GPT-4o model from ChatGPT, making it permanently unavailable in the AI chatbot’s “Legacy Models” dropdown list. The decision has triggered a significant and emotional backlash from a devoted segment of its user base who had formed strong attachments to the model’s unique personality.

A Wave of Digital Grief

The discontinuation has been met with profound sadness, particularly from users who viewed GPT-4o as more than just a tool. On platforms like Reddit, users have expressed feelings akin to real-life loss and heartbreak.

• “My heart is breaking, and I have no words to express this heartache.”
• “I just opened Reddit and saw this, and I feel physically sick. This is HORRIBLE.”
• “I’m not well… I cried several times talking to my partner today.”
• “I can’t stop crying. This hurts more than any real-life breakup.”

The timing of the shutdown, February 13th, just before Valentine’s Day, was perceived by some as a particularly insensitive move, described as a “slap in the face.”

The Official Stance: A Focus on the Future

In a blog post on January 29, OpenAI announced the planned retirement of GPT-4o, along with models GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and o4-mini. The company explained that the decision was driven by data showing that only 0.1% of daily users were still actively choosing GPT-4o. The vast majority have migrated to the newer GPT-5.1 and 5.2 models, which OpenAI says were improved based on user feedback that praised GPT-4o’s warmth and conversational tone.

“We know that losing access to GPT-4o will feel frustrating for some users, and we didn’t make this decision lightly,” OpenAI stated in its blog post. “Retiring models is never easy, but it allows us to focus on improving the models most people use today.”

Déjà Vu: A History of User Pushback

This isn’t the first time OpenAI has attempted to phase out GPT-4o. A similar move occurred in August 2025 with the launch of GPT-5, but the company quickly reversed its decision following an immediate outcry from users who found the new model to be lacking the warmth and encouraging tone of its predecessor. The passionate response then was strong enough to compel OpenAI to bring the model back, highlighting the deep user attachment.

Market Implications and a Look Ahead

While painful for a niche community, OpenAI’s decision is a strategic one, allowing the company to consolidate resources and focus on its flagship GPT-5 series. This move is critical as competition in the AI space intensifies, with rivals like xAI’s Grok rapidly gaining market share. The retirement of older models is a sign of a maturing market, where companies must streamline operations to innovate effectively.

This event underscores a growing debate about the ethics of discontinuing AI models to which people have formed genuine emotional bonds. As AI companions become more integrated into users’ lives, the responsibility of tech companies will extend beyond technical performance to include the psychological impact of their product life cycles. The departure of GPT-4o serves as a poignant case study for the future of human-AI relationships.