What's new in ChatGPT: animated GIFs, saved reference images, locked chats and more
A roundup of what's landed in ChatGPT in recent weeks: the new Images 2.6 model, GIFs, saved reference images, PIN-locked chats and two accounts on mobile.
OpenAI keeps adding features to ChatGPT and it’s easy to lose track. We went through its official release notes and summarized the most useful updates from the last few weeks, in plain English.
At a glance
| Date | What’s new | Who gets it |
|---|---|---|
| November 4 | Images 2.6: faster images and better edits | ChatGPT users |
| November 4 | Animated GIFs from a prompt or a drawing | Rolling out gradually |
| November 4 | Saved reference images | ChatGPT users |
| October 30 | Two accounts in the mobile app | iOS and Android |
| October 27 | Connect iCloud Mail and Calendar | All plans (web, desktop and iOS) |
| October 20 | PIN-locked chats | Free, Go, Plus and Pro, gradually |
Images 2.6: better pictures and edits that don’t break things
ChatGPT’s new image model generates faster and, above all, keeps details intact when you edit. OpenAI’s example: if you change an image’s background, the character keeps the same outfit. Before, each edit often changed things you hadn’t asked for.
Now it makes GIFs too
You can ask for a looping animation, or upload a drawing and say something like “make the character wave”. You can then adjust the GIF’s speed and share it. The feature is rolling out gradually, so you may not see it yet.
Reference images that stay saved
You can save a photo with a name and use it in other chats without uploading it again. OpenAI’s example is a dog: save its photo as Pepper and later write “make a watercolor portrait of @Pepper”.
Privacy tip: think carefully about which photos you save, especially ones showing other people or children.
PIN-locked chats
If you share a computer or phone, you’ll like this. Locked chats disappear from your history, pinned chats and search, and only open with your 4-digit PIN or your device unlock, like fingerprint or Face ID.
How to do it:
- Open the chat you want to hide.
- Tap the three-dot menu (•••).
- Choose Lock chat.
Locking a chat doesn’t change how long it’s stored or whether it’s used to improve models: that still depends on your privacy settings.
Two accounts on mobile
The iOS and Android apps now let you stay signed in to up to 2 accounts at once, say personal and work, and switch without logging out. Each keeps its own chats, memory, settings and subscription.
Where to find it: Settings → Switch account.
iCloud Mail and Calendar
If you’re on Apple, you can connect iCloud Mail and Calendar to ChatGPT so it can search your email, summarize your inbox, or check and change your appointments. It’s available on all plans, on the web, the desktop app and iPhone.
Before you connect it: giving access to your email means giving access to very personal information. Only do it if it’s worth it, and review the permissions you grant.
Anything else?
OpenAI also announced business features, like Business Hub, for companies to manage their listing inside ChatGPT, and shared presentations for paid plans. We’ll explain them if they reach everyone.
To get more out of any assistant, read our guide on how to write good prompts. Comparing options? See ChatGPT vs Gemini vs Claude.
