Most people don't realise that ChatGPT stores files and images they upload or create. These files stay on your account until you manually delete them. This storage includes documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDFs, images and other files uploaded during conversations. Images generated by ChatGPT are also stored in this location, but they are less of a concern. So if you have uploaded something you don't want ChatGPT to have access to for an extended period of time, this guide will show you how to delete everything.

Takeaways:

  1. Deleting a ChatGPT conversation does not necessarily delete the files or images stored in it.
  2. Does ChatGPT secretly store all the files and images you upload?

Why is ChatGPT Storing My Files?

ChatGPT stores uploaded and created files so you can access and reuse them without having to upload them again. When a file is saved to your Library, you can add it to another conversation without uploading it again. This is handy if you are constantly using the same documents, spreadsheets, presentations or images since files can be used as context for conversations. But what you probably don't know is that all this stuff stays on the platform even if you delete the conversation.

How to Delete Files and Images Stored in ChatGPT

The most important thing to be aware of, and the thing that next to know one knows, is that deleting a conversation does not delete a file saved in your Library. ChatGPT manages chats and Library files separately. So if you have been uploading files in conversations and then deleting them, you've only deleted the chat history, not the files.

  • Open ChatGPT on the web and select Library from the left-hand sidebar.
  • Your saved files can be browsed or searched there.
  • You can also filter them by categories such as images, documents, spreadsheets, presentations and PDFs.
  • Find the file or image you no longer want to keep.
  • Select it and choose Delete, or use the trash icon associated with the file.
  • Depending on the current Library interface, deleted files may appear under Recently deleted.
  • From there, you may be able to restore them or permanently delete them.

Delete Files and Images Stored in ChatGPT

OpenAI states that deleted files are scheduled for permanent deletion from its systems within 30 days, subject to certain security, legal or de-identification exceptions. They aren't instantly deleted, which is concerning if you ask me.

Deleting Chats in ChatGPT Doesn't Delete Files

Deleting a chat removes the conversation from your account, but a file saved to your Library will remain there. If you want to remove both the conversation and its saved files, check the Library separately and delete the files you no longer need. Archiving is different again. An archived chat remains stored in your account, so archiving should not be treated as a deletion method.

How Much Storage Does ChatGPT Give You?

At the time of writing, these are the current data allocations for each plan.

  • Free: 500 MB
  • Go: 4 GB
  • Plus and Business: 20 GB
  • Pro: 100 GB

Note: Files uploaded to a ChatGPT conversation can be up to 512 MB, and images have a 20 MB limit.