QUICK TAKE | ChatGPT Is Retiring Two Voice Modes. What Changes on December 11? Seven Things to Know

1. Which ChatGPT voice modes are going away?

On December 11, 2026, OpenAI will remove Advanced and Standard Voice from the model picker under Settings → Voice. If you have either mode selected, ChatGPT will switch you to Live Voice automatically. Both older options remain available during the transition.

2. What makes GPT-Live different?

It can listen and speak at the same time. You can interrupt a response to clarify something, and ChatGPT can briefly acknowledge what you’re saying or pause while you think. It can also send a complex question to a text model in the background while the conversation continues.

3. How did the older modes work?

Advanced Voice processed and generated audio directly, but waited for you to finish speaking before replying. Standard Voice used three models in sequence. One transcribed your speech, another wrote a reply and a third read that reply aloud.

4. Why is OpenAI making the switch now?

OpenAI says voice usage has nearly doubled since GPT-Live launched in July and that almost everyone who uses voice in ChatGPT already uses the newer model. The company says feedback from users of the older modes will inform improvements to response detail, continuity across conversations and personalisation.

5. Can you still open old voice conversations?

Yes. Conversations started in Advanced or Standard Voice will stay in your ChatGPT history. You can reopen one and continue by typing or speaking. If you speak, GPT-Live will handle the new replies after the switch.

6. What about live video and screen sharing?

Advanced Voice will keep powering both features for eligible users until GPT-Live can handle them. OpenAI has tied that change to when the new model gains those capabilities.

7. Will custom GPTs switch to Live Voice too?

OpenAI says voice conversations with custom GPTs will use Advanced Voice until their scheduled retirement on December 11. That is part of a separate transition in which OpenAI is helping creators move their custom GPTs to plugins. FedRAMP and some Enterprise workspaces have a later retirement date for custom GPTs.