Users are abandoning ChatGPT in favor of Claude. Here’s how to make the switch

Many users are turning to Claude after a series of controversies surrounding ChatGPT and its parent company OpenAI.

The turning point came after Anthropic, the company behind Cloud, refused to allow the Department of Defense to use its AI models for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons. In response, President Trump ordered all federal agencies to stop using Anthropic products, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans to designate the company as a supply chain threat.

Hours later, OpenAI announced its own agreement with the Pentagon, claiming it included safeguards, but the deal still sparked widespread debate about privacy and the ethical use of AI.

As a result, Cloud has risen to the top of the free app rankings in the Apple App Store in the US, surpassing ChatGPT. According to Anthropic, daily subscriptions have reached record levels, the number of free users has jumped more than 60% since January, and the number of paid subscribers has doubled this year.

For many users, the recent controversy has made Claude a compelling alternative to ChatGPT. If you’re thinking about making the switch, this guide will walk you through the process of transferring your data and closing your ChatGPT account.

How to export your data from ChatGPT

Breaking away from ChatGPT doesn’t mean losing years of digital memory. Instead of starting from scratch with your new AI assistant, you can transfer your data to Claude so he can quickly follow your preferences.

There are several ways to do this. One place to start is Settings. From there, you go to Personalization and find the Memory section. Select “Manage” and review your stored information, updating anything that no longer accurately reflects your preferences. Once everything is updated, copy the content you want to keep.

Alternatively, you can export your entire chat history. Head to Settings, select Data Controls, then choose “Export Data.” ChatGPT will compile your chat logs into text or JSON files and email them to you. (Be aware that this may take some time if you have a lot of history.)

You can also take a manual approach by copying key conversations from your history or asking ChatGPT to summarize your key preferences, frequently discussed topics, and any custom instructions you use.

Import your data into Cloud

Once you’ve collected your data, transferring it to Claude is simple.

Open Claude, go to Settings, then Capacities, and make sure Memory is turned on. (You’ll need to sign up for a Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise plan to enable this feature.) Next, start a new conversation and use a prompt like, “Here are some important context I’d like you to remember. Refresh your memory of me with this.” Then paste your information or summaries directly into the chat.

For exported chat files, do not paste the raw records. Instead, ask Claude something like: “Review this and summarize my key preferences.”

We also recommend that you take the time to check with Claude that your information is accurately saved. You can always update your preferences when they change.

Permanently delete your ChatGPT account

To completely disconnect from ChatGPT, opting out is not enough to remove your data.

Here’s what to do:

• Go to Settings, then Personalization, and select Memory.
• Delete any stored memory or personalization settings.
• For added assurance, type “Delete all my memory and personal data” as the final chat command.
• Then go to your account management settings to delete your entire account.