The fastest way to log out depends on what you're using
To log out of ChatGPT on a computer, click your name or profile icon in the bottom left corner of the screen, then select "Log out" from the menu that appears. On a phone or tablet, tap the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) in the top left, scroll down, and tap "Log out". The process takes about five seconds either way.
If you're using ChatGPT through a web browser on any device, you can also log out by going to the account settings page directly. Look for your profile picture or initial in the top right corner of the page, click it, and select "Log out" from the dropdown menu.
After you log out, you'll be taken back to the login screen. Your chat history stays saved to your account — logging out doesn't delete your conversations. The next time you log in with your email and password, you'll see all your previous chats waiting for you.
Key Takeaways
- On the web version, click your profile icon in the bottom left (computer) or tap the menu icon in the top left (phone) and select "Log out".
- Logging out removes your session but keeps all your chat history saved — nothing gets deleted.
- If you forget to log out on a shared device, you can log out remotely from another device by changing your password.
- The mobile app and web version use the same login, so logging out of one doesn't automatically log you out of the other.
Why you might want to log out
Log out when you're using a shared computer, tablet, or phone — at work, at a library, or at someone else's house. Logging out prevents the next person who uses that device from seeing your conversations or sending messages as you.
You should also log out if you're concerned about account security. If you think someone has accessed your account, logging out from all devices is one of the first steps to take. After you log out, change your password to make sure only you can log back in.
Some people log out at the end of each day as a habit, even on their own devices. This is a reasonable security practice, though it's not strictly necessary if you're the only person using your computer or phone.
What happens when you log out
When you log out, ChatGPT ends your current session. Your device no longer has permission to access your account without logging in again. If you had ChatGPT open in multiple browser tabs, logging out closes your session across all of them.
Your chat history, saved conversations, and account settings remain on ChatGPT's servers. They don't go anywhere. The next time you log in with your email and password, everything will be there exactly as you left it.
If you're logged into ChatGPT on multiple devices — your phone, your laptop, and a tablet, for example — logging out on one device doesn't log you out on the others. You have to log out of each device separately if you want to be logged out everywhere.
Logging out on the mobile app
Open the ChatGPT app on your phone or tablet. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top left corner of the screen. Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the menu.
You'll see a "Log out" button at the very bottom. Tap it. The app will ask you to confirm — tap "Log out" again. You'll be returned to the login screen, and the app is now logged out.
The next time you open the app, you'll need to enter your email and password to log back in. If you have two-factor authentication turned on for your account, you'll also need to enter a code from your authenticator app or email.
Logging out on the web version
Go to chat.openai.com in your web browser. Look for your profile picture or the first letter of your name in the bottom left corner of the screen (on a computer) or in the top left corner (on a phone or tablet in browser view).
Click or tap your profile icon. A small menu will pop up with a few options. Select "Log out" from this menu. You'll be taken to the login page, and your session is now ended.
If you can't find your profile icon, try refreshing the page. Sometimes the interface takes a moment to load fully. If you're still having trouble, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then visit chat.openai.com again.
If you're locked out or can't log out
If the "Log out" button isn't appearing or isn't working, try closing the browser tab completely and opening a new one. Go back to chat.openai.com. Sometimes a page refresh or a fresh tab solves the problem.
If you're on a phone and the app won't let you log out, try uninstalling and reinstalling the ChatGPT app. This clears any corrupted data that might be preventing the logout function from working. You'll need to log back in with your email and password after reinstalling.
If you're worried someone else has access to your account and you can't log out from the device they're using, you can change your password from any other device. Go to account.openai.com, click "Account" in the top left, select "Logout all sessions", and confirm. This logs you out everywhere at once. Then change your password to something new.
Logging out on shared devices
If you use ChatGPT on a computer or device that other people also use, always log out before you leave. This is the most important security step you can take on a shared device.
If you forget to log out and realize it later, you can still fix it. Log in from your own device, go to your account settings, and select "Logout all sessions" or "Log out everywhere". This will end your session on the shared device even though you're not physically there.
After you log out everywhere, change your password. This makes sure that even if someone saw your password while you were logged in, they won't be able to get back into your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does logging out delete my chat history?
No. Your chat history stays saved on ChatGPT's servers. When you log back in, all your previous conversations will be there. Logging out only ends your current session — it doesn't erase anything.
Will logging out on my phone also log me out on my computer?
No. Each device has its own separate session. You have to log out of each device individually. If you want to log out everywhere at once, change your password or use the "Logout all sessions" option in your account settings.
What should I do if I log out and can't log back in?
Make sure you're using the correct email address and password. If you've forgotten your password, click "Forgot password?" on the login page and follow the steps to reset it. You'll receive an email with instructions. Check your spam folder if you don't see it in your inbox.
Can I log out of ChatGPT without closing the browser?
Yes. Click your profile icon and select "Log out" from the menu. You don't need to close the browser — the logout button will end your session and take you to the login page while the browser stays open.
Is it safe to stay logged in on my personal computer?
It's reasonably safe if you're the only person who uses the computer and you have a strong password. However, logging out at the end of each day is a good security habit. If your computer is ever stolen or compromised, logging out regularly limits the damage an attacker could do.