Does the macOS app follow the same data policies as the web app?
Yes. All conversations, screenshots, and files in the ChatGPT macOS app follow the same data retention policies as the web version.
However, some macOS-specific behaviors include:
If you take a screenshot within a chat, that image is treated like any other file upload and is subject to the same retention policies.
Files uploaded via the macOS app are stored in the cloud (not locally) and tied to your OpenAI account.
File and Chat Retention
Files uploaded in a conversation are retained until:
The associated chat is deleted
You delete your account
Files uploaded to a custom GPT are retained until that GPT is deleted
Deleted chats and files are fully removed from our systems within 30 days
In some cases, content may persist longer if:
It has been de-identified and disassociated from your account
Required for legal or security obligations
Model Training
By default, content from individual ChatGPT users (including macOS app usage) may be used to improve model performance.
You can opt out at any time. New conversations after opting out will not be used to train our models.
Manage Your Data
For complete details and opt-out instructions, visit our Data Controls FAQ.
There, you’ll find how to:
Delete conversations
Export or delete your data
Opt out of model training