Guide · Updated August 2026
ChatGPT memory to Claude — and everything memory missed
Claude has an official, free memory import from ChatGPT. Use it — it takes a minute. But understand what it moves: the few dozen facts ChatGPT chose to remember, not the months of context sitting in your conversations. This page covers both layers.
How Claude's memory import works
- In Claude, open Settings → Capabilities and find Import memory from other AI providers → Start import.
- Claude shows a prompt. Copy it.
- Paste the prompt into ChatGPT. It replies with a packaged summary of everything its memory has stored about you.
- Copy that reply, paste it back into Claude's import window, and click Add to memory.
Free on all plans since March 2026. Also works from Gemini and Copilot. Anthropic labels the feature experimental — imported personal details unrelated to work may not always stick.
What ChatGPT's memory actually contains
Memory is a short list of facts ChatGPT decided to save: your name, role, a few preferences, some recent projects. It's recency-biased and selective by design. Everything else — the project you spent March on, the decision you reasoned through in twenty messages, the people you mention weekly, how you actually write — lives only in your conversation history. For most long-time users, memory holds a page; the history holds a book.
Import vs summary prompt vs full history
| Memory import | Summary prompt | Full history | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source | Stored memory facts | One recall pass | Every conversation |
| Old projects | Mostly missing | Recency-biased | Captured |
| People & decisions | Rarely stored | Partial | Extracted |
| Writing style | No | Vague | Analyzed |
| Effort | 1 minute | 15 minutes | Upload a ZIP |
| Cost | Free | Free | Free preview · €14.99 |
These aren't competing options — do the one-minute import for the basics, then transfer the full history for everything it missed.
Transfer everything memory missed
- Export your ChatGPT data (Settings → Data controls → Export data).
- Upload the ZIP to ChatGPTToClaude — no account needed.
- Get one context document distilled from your entire history and paste it into Claude's profile preferences or a Project.
Frequently asked questions
Is Claude's memory import free?+
Yes. Since March 2026 it's available to all Claude users, including free accounts, under Settings → Capabilities → Import memory.
Does the memory import move my conversations?+
No. It transfers only the summary of facts ChatGPT's memory stored about you. Conversations, Projects, Custom Instructions and Custom GPTs are not included.
Can I import memory from Gemini or Copilot too?+
Yes — Claude's import flow supports ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot with the same paste-a-prompt mechanism.
Does memory stay in sync after importing?+
No. The import is one-time. New memories ChatGPT creates afterwards don't appear in Claude — you'd need to re-run the import (or re-run a full-history transfer for a complete refresh).
The complete walkthrough: How to switch from ChatGPT to Claude →