The fastest way to log out of ChatGPT
To log out of ChatGPT, click your account icon in the bottom left corner of the screen, then select "Log out" from the menu that appears. On mobile, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right, scroll down, and tap "Log out". The process takes about five seconds and immediately ends your session.
After you log out, you will be returned to the ChatGPT login page. Your conversation history remains saved to your account and will be there when you log back in — logging out does not delete your chats.
Key Takeaways
- Click the account icon in the bottom left corner on desktop, or the menu icon on mobile, to find the log out option.
- Logging out ends your current session but does not delete your saved conversations or account data.
- If you cannot see the account icon, scroll down in the left sidebar on desktop or refresh the page.
- On shared computers, always log out when you are finished to prevent others from accessing your account.
Where to find the log out button on desktop
Open ChatGPT in your web browser and look at the bottom left corner of the screen. You will see a small circular icon with your profile picture or initials. Click this icon once.
A dropdown menu will appear with several options. The "Log out" option is usually at the bottom of this menu. Click it, and your session will end immediately. You will be taken to the login page.
If you do not see the account icon in the bottom left, the sidebar may be collapsed. Look for a menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left and click it to expand the sidebar, which will reveal your account icon at the bottom.
How to log out on iPhone and Android
Open the ChatGPT mobile app and look at the bottom right corner of the screen. You will see three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu). Tap this icon.
Scroll down to the bottom of the menu that opens. You will see the "Log out" option. Tap it to end your session. The app will return you to the login screen.
If you are using ChatGPT in a mobile web browser instead of the app, follow the same steps as the desktop version — click the account icon in the bottom left corner and select "Log out".
What happens after you log out
Once you log out, your session ends and anyone using that device will need to enter your login credentials to access your account. Your conversation history is not deleted — it stays saved on ChatGPT's servers and will appear when you log back in with your account.
If you want to permanently delete specific conversations before logging out, you can do that by clicking the trash icon next to each conversation in your chat history. This step is separate from logging out.
Why you should log out on shared computers
If you use ChatGPT on a computer that other people also use — at work, school, a library, or a friend's house — always log out when you are finished. Logging out prevents the next person who uses that computer from seeing your conversations or sending messages as you.
Simply closing the browser tab or window does not log you out. The session remains active, and anyone who opens ChatGPT on that device will still be logged in as you. Taking the extra five seconds to log out properly protects your privacy and your account.
If you cannot log out or are locked out of your account
If the log out button does not appear or does not work, try refreshing the page. Sometimes the interface fails to load completely, and a refresh will restore the menu.
If you are locked out of your account or cannot log in after logging out, visit the ChatGPT login page and click "Forgot your password?" to reset your password. You will receive an email with instructions to create a new password and regain access to your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does logging out delete my conversations?
No. Logging out only ends your current session. All your conversations remain saved to your account and will be there when you log back in. To delete conversations, you must manually delete them before or after logging out by clicking the trash icon next to each chat.
Will I be logged out automatically if I do not use ChatGPT for a while?
ChatGPT does not automatically log you out after a period of inactivity. Your session will remain active until you manually log out or until you clear your browser cookies. On shared devices, this is another reason to log out manually when you are done.
Can I log out of ChatGPT on all devices at once?
ChatGPT does not have a built-in option to log out of all devices simultaneously. You must log out on each device separately. If you are concerned about unauthorized access, you can change your password, which will require you to log in again on all devices.
What is the difference between logging out and closing the app?
Closing the app or browser does not log you out. Your session remains active, and the next time you open ChatGPT on that device, you will still be logged in. Logging out is the only way to end your session and require a login the next time.