ChatGPT brings two-account switching to phones, with separate chats and subscriptions

OpenAI is rolling out account switching in the ChatGPT iOS and Android apps, according to its October 30 release notes. People using separate personal and work logins can keep both signed in and move between them without repeatedly signing out.

The mobile control appears under Settings, then Switch account. One account is active at a time. Notifications can arrive for both accounts; opening a notification for the other account switches to it and opens the relevant content. OpenAI says the option may still be unavailable to some users during the rollout.

Chats, files and settings follow the selected account, with separate memory and workspaces. Adding a third login requires removing one of the two already signed in. A newly created second account starts on the Free plan.

That separation also affects the context available for personalized answers. ChatGPT's current memory guide says enabled memory can draw on past chats, saved memories and custom instructions. Depending on plan, region and settings, saved files or connected-app content may also contribute. The information used varies with its relevance to a response, and available controls differ across accounts.

Account switching and workspace switching operate at different levels. A workspace is a ChatGPT environment with its own settings, members and resources. An account can access both personal and Business workspaces. Users who keep their personal workspace separate can continue moving between those environments. Access depends on workspace membership and the seat assigned to the user.

Organization-managed accounts remain subject to their organization's controls. OpenAI says administrators may access, export, retain or delete prompts, uploaded files, conversation history and activity information, depending on configuration and applicable law. Organizational agreements and internal policies govern managed-account data. An unmanaged personal account remains subject to personal-service terms and privacy policies. OpenAI separately says Business owners and admins cannot see all private member chats by default.

Each account keeps its own subscription

A personal paid plan stays with its purchasing ChatGPT account. A second personal Free account needs its own subscription for paid access; plan changes and cancellations belong to the purchaser.

Mobile subscriptions are linked to both the paying app-store account and the ChatGPT account used at purchase. Their emails can differ. OpenAI warns that subscribing again before identifying an existing purchase can create duplicate charges when another account shows Free.

Billing remains managed by the original purchase platform: Apple, Google Play or chatgpt.com. Removing the app leaves app-store subscriptions in place. OpenAI warns that starting another subscription on a different platform while retaining the original can produce overlapping charges.

Using old conversations in another personal account remains a separate process. OpenAI supports uploading an exported conversation file as reference in a new chat. It does not recreate the original sidebar or merge accounts. Subscriptions, settings, memories and workspace access remain with the original account. Eligible exports come from personal accounts or Edu workspaces where an administrator enables export; Business and Enterprise workspaces do not support data export through ChatGPT settings.

Account switching is also supported on ChatGPT web. In an October 31 public post, OpenAI's Tibo Sottiaux said desktop-app support would follow, without giving a release date.