How to delete or export your AI chat history

Short answer: Every major AI app lets you delete your conversations, and most let you download a copy first. The safe order is always the same: export, check the file, then delete. Exports are usually emailed to you and the download link expires, so watch your inbox.

Menus change often. If a label below does not match your screen exactly, look for the same words under Settings, Privacy or Account.

Before you start

• Export first. Deleting is usually permanent, and an export cannot bring back chats you already deleted.
• Use a computer if you can. Some apps only offer export on the website, not in the phone app.
• Check your spam folder. Export emails often land there.
• Cancel subscriptions separately. Deleting chats or even your account does not always cancel a subscription bought through Apple or Google. Cancel it in your app store settings.

ChatGPT

Export: Settings → Data controls → Export data → confirm. OpenAI emails you a link when the file is ready. According to OpenAI's help center, it can take up to 7 days, and the link expires 24 hours after you receive it, so download it promptly while signed in to the same account.

Delete one chat: hover over it in the sidebar, open the menu (three dots) and choose Delete.

Delete all chats: Settings → General → Delete all chats.

Delete your account: Settings → Account (or Data controls) → Delete account. This removes your chat history and cannot be undone.

OpenAI says deleted chats are removed from its systems within about 30 days, unless they must be kept for security or legal reasons.

Claude

Export: click your initials in the lower-left corner → Settings → Privacy → Export data. Anthropic emails you a download link when it is ready. Export works on the website and the desktop app, not in the phone apps. On Team and Enterprise plans, only the organization's owner can export.

Delete one chat: open the chat's menu in the sidebar and choose Delete.

Delete your account: Settings → Account → Delete account. If you pay for Claude, cancel the subscription first.

Gemini

Export: go to Google Takeout (takeout.google.com), deselect everything, then select your Gemini data (under My Activity, choose Gemini Apps). Google prepares an archive and emails you when it is ready, which can take from minutes to a day or more. Note that downloading your data does not delete it from Google.

Delete one chat: open its menu in the Gemini sidebar and choose Delete.

Delete many at once: open Gemini Apps Activity in your Google account (myactivity.google.com) and delete a time range, such as the last day or all time. You can also turn activity saving off or set it to auto-delete after a period you choose.

Character.AI

Character.AI filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2026 and is being sold, which makes this especially relevant. See our explainer.

Export:

• Website: Profile → Profile Settings → Account → Manage Account & Data → Export Data.
• Phone app: Profile → Settings → Legal & Privacy → Export Data.

According to Character.AI's help center, as reported by KQED, exports can take three to four weeks, and the emailed link expires after seven days. The export is a snapshot; newer chats may not be included.

Delete your account: in the same Manage Account & Data section. Download your export before deleting if you want to keep anything.

Replika

Export: Replika does not offer a clear self-service download. If you want a copy of your data, ask Replika support through the form at help.replika.com (category "Privacy & Safety"), sent from the email address on your account.

Delete your account: Settings (gear icon) → Account Settings → Delete Replika (or Delete my Account on the web), then confirm with your password. Replika says this is permanent and your chat history cannot be recovered.

Full erasure under GDPR: if you are in the EU or UK and want all personal data erased, Replika asks you to use the same support form, category "Privacy & Safety". It says it responds within one month.

What happens after you delete?

Deleting removes chats from your account right away, but companies usually keep backups for a while and may hold data longer when the law requires it. Deletion also cannot undo anything that already happened with your data, such as its use in training an AI model before you opted out. That is why the best privacy habit is simple: think before you type, and switch off model training in each app's settings if you do not want your conversations used.

Steps checked against each company's help pages and news reports as of October 2026.