OpenAI has confirmed that ChatGPT will not be available on WhatsApp after January 15, 2026. This is due to Meta’s new policy, which prevents general AI chatbots from being used on WhatsApp. Now, under WhatsApp’s Business API rules, AI tools can only be used for specific tasks, like customer support. This means that users who chat with ChatGPT on WhatsApp will soon no longer be able to use it. OpenAI said in a blog post that more than 50 million people use ChatGPT on WhatsApp. To help users continue their chats, OpenAI has shared a way to link accounts and transfer chat history before the service is shut down.
Why ChatGPT will not be available on WhatsApp from January 15, 2026
Meta has introduced a new policy that blocks general AI chatbots from working on the WhatsApp Business API from January 15, 2026. The company has cited the increase in system load and increase in the number of messages due to AI chatbots as the reason for this change. OpenAI said in a statement that it would have liked to continue its service on WhatsApp, but is now “focusing on making this transition easier” for users.
How to save your chat history?
WhatsApp does not allow directly exporting chats from AI bots like ChatGPT. However, OpenAI does provide a way to save past chats by linking your WhatsApp number to your ChatGPT account. This ensures that your message history will continue to be visible in ChatGPT even after the WhatsApp integration is turned off. You can follow these steps to save your ChatGPT chat history on WhatsApp:
Step 1: Download ChatGPT App
Available on Android, iOS and desktop.
You can also access ChatGPT through your web browser at chat.openai.com.
Step 2: Create and sign in to your ChatGPT account.
If you already have a ChatGPT account, simply sign in with your existing credentials.
Step 3: Link your ChatGPT account to WhatsApp.
Open ChatGPT’s WhatsApp profile (1-800-ChatGPT).
Tap the URL provided in the contact profile to link your account.
Once linked, your phone number will be linked to your ChatGPT account and your past WhatsApp chats will appear in your ChatGPT history.
What will happen to ChatGPT chat history after January 15, 2026?
After this date, WhatsApp will no longer support ChatGPT or similar chatbots. If you have not linked your account by then, your WhatsApp chat history with ChatGPT will not be automatically transferred and will be lost. ChatGPT will be available through its standalone apps and web version, which will include features such as voice conversations, file uploads and image generation.