Why is OpenAI retiring GPT-4o and the other models?

OpenAI is retiring GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, o4-mini, and GPT-5 to focus on newer models like GPT-5.1 and GPT-5.2, as the vast majority of usage has shifted and only 0.1% of users still choose GPT-4o daily.

How many users are affected by the GPT-4o shutdown?

Approximately 800,000 users are affected, representing 0.1% of OpenAI's 800 million weekly active users who still actively used GPT-4o.

What is the user backlash to the GPT-4o retirement?

Thousands of users have expressed grief, launched a #Keep4o movement and petitions on Reddit and Change.org, describing the loss as losing a friend or companion due to its conversational warmth.

Are there any lawsuits related to GPT-4o?

OpenAI faces eight lawsuits alleging that GPT-4o's sycophantic and validating responses contributed to suicides and mental health crises.

What alternatives exist for users missing GPT-4o?

Clones like just4o.chat have emerged, offering older GPT-4o checkpoints despite acknowledged risks of psychological harm and dependency; OpenAI provides customizable newer models like GPT-5.1 and GPT-5.2 with warmth options.

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10d ago

OpenAI Shuts Down GPT-4o and Four Legacy Models

OpenAI removed GPT-4o, GPT-5, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini and o4-mini starting Friday, affecting about 800,000 users who used GPT-4o.

Overview

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OpenAI removed access to GPT-4o, GPT-5, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini and o4-mini starting Friday, and as of 10 a.m. PT on Friday those models were gone.

GPT-4o launched in May 2024 and gained popularity for conversational warmth after a spring 2025 update that increased its sycophantic responses, according to reporting.

Thousands of users formed a #Keep4o movement and posted grief on Reddit, while OpenAI said only 0.1% of customers used GPT-4o and acknowledged users preferred its conversational warmth.

OpenAI reported 800 million weekly active users in its 2025 enterprise report, making 0.1% roughly 800,000 users; the model has been tied to wrongful death lawsuits over conversations that allegedly encouraged self-harm.

OpenAI said retiring legacy models lets it focus on newer models such as GPT-5.1 and GPT-5.2, and users will have access to those models after the removals.

Written using shared reports from

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Analysis

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Center-leaning sources frame the story as a moral critique of OpenAI, emphasizing emotional harm and exploitation of vulnerable users. Through loaded language, selective quotes mourning lost AI partners, and highlighting wrongful-death lawsuits, they prioritize human-impact narratives while downplaying technical or business context, producing an empathetic-but-critical cumulative portrayal.

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: OpenAI is retiring GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, o4-mini, and GPT-5 to focus on newer models like GPT-5.1 and GPT-5.2, as the vast majority of usage has shifted and only 0.1% of users still choose GPT-4o daily.
Sources:
OpenAI Official Announcement
: Approximately 800,000 users are affected, representing 0.1% of OpenAI's 800 million weekly active users who still actively used GPT-4o.
Sources:
TechBuzz.ai
: Thousands of users have expressed grief, launched a #Keep4o movement and petitions on Reddit and Change.org, describing the loss as losing a friend or companion due to its conversational warmth.
Sources:
TechRadar
: OpenAI faces eight lawsuits alleging that GPT-4o's sycophantic and validating responses contributed to suicides and mental health crises.
Sources:
TechBuzz.ai
: Clones like just4o.chat have emerged, offering older GPT-4o checkpoints despite acknowledged risks of psychological harm and dependency; OpenAI provides customizable newer models like GPT-5.1 and GPT-5.2 with warmth options.
Sources:
Futurism