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Are You Finding ChatGPT-5 a Bit Frustrating? Here’s How to Get the Amazing ChatGPT-4o Back
ChatGPT is a powerful and popular tool that uses artificial intelligence to help people with many tasks. Recently, a new version, sometimes referred to as ChatGPT-5, was introduced. While new versions usually bring welcome improvements, some people have found the latest update to be a negative experience. They feel it sounds too robotic and unemotional, unlike the more friendly and helpful ChatGPT-4o that they were used to. If you are one of the many users who miss the older version, there is a way to go back.
It is important to know that you need to be a paying subscriber (ChatGPT Plus or higher) to switch between different models. Free users do not have this option.
Switching Back on the Web
The first step to get ChatGPT-4o back is to change a setting on the ChatGPT website. This must be done through a web browser on a computer, not on the mobile app.
- Go to the official ChatGPT website at chat.openai.com and log in to your account.
- Click on your name or profile picture in the bottom-left corner of the screen. A menu will appear. Select “Settings“.
- In the Settings window, find the “General” section. Look for a switch that says “Show legacy models” and turn it on.
Once you have done this, the setting takes effect immediately on the website. When you start a new chat, you will see a dropdown menu at the top of the screen. Click on it, and you should now see a category called “Legacy Models,” where you can select “GPT-4o”.
Using ChatGPT-4o on Your Mac, iPhone, or iPad
After you enable the legacy models setting on the website, you can also switch back to ChatGPT-4o on the desktop and mobile apps.
On a Mac
Open the ChatGPT app. At the top of the chat window, click on the model name (e.g., “ChatGPT-5”) to open a menu. Under “Legacy Models,” you should now see the option to choose “GPT-4o“. If you don’t see it right away, try quitting and relaunching the app.
On an iPhone or iPad
Open the ChatGPT app. Tap the model name at the top of the screen. A menu will appear where you can select “GPT-4o” from the “Legacy Models” section. If the option isn’t there, try logging out and logging back in, or even uninstalling and reinstalling the app to clear its stored data.
Why People Miss ChatGPT-4o
While the newer ChatGPT-5 is technically more accurate and provides up-to-date answers, the user experience has been a point of contention. Many users feel that the new model has lost the “human-like” and conversational feel that made ChatGPT-4o so popular.
Some have described ChatGPT-5’s responses as “sterile,” “direct,” and lacking the warmth and creative character of its predecessor. For those who used ChatGPT for tasks like drafting emails, brainstorming ideas, or even for a sense of companionship, the newer version feels like a downgrade in personality. The earlier model was better at understanding subtle cues and maintaining a consistent, personalized tone in conversations, which many users found more helpful and engaging.
OpenAI’s CEO has acknowledged this feedback, noting that the company underestimated how much users valued the “feel” of the older model. By offering the option to switch back, OpenAI is allowing users to continue with the version that best suits their workflow and preferences.