If you use ChatGPT to create AI images, you may have seen headlines suggesting that DALL·E is being discontinued.
For broader OpenAI product changes, see our GPT-6 Astra access and availability guide.
The situation is more nuanced. On August 30, 2026, OpenAI retired the official DALL·E GPT inside ChatGPT. That does not mean ChatGPT stopped creating images.
Users can continue generating and editing images through ChatGPT Images, while user-created GPTs with image generation enabled are not affected by the retirement.
Quick Answer
The official DALL·E GPT in ChatGPT has been retired, but image generation in ChatGPT remains available. OpenAI recommends using ChatGPT Images for creating and editing images.
What Is Actually Being Retired?
The important distinction is between the official DALL·E GPT inside ChatGPT and image generation as a capability.
OpenAI’s release notes state that the official DALL·E GPT was retired on August 30, 2026. It was a separate GPT that users could open specifically for image creation.
OpenAI is now directing users toward the integrated ChatGPT Images experience instead.
Is DALL·E Completely Discontinued?
Not in the simple sense implied by many headlines.
- The official DALL·E GPT in ChatGPT is retired.
- ChatGPT Images continues to support image creation and editing.
- User-created GPTs with image generation enabled are not affected by this specific retirement.
Developers should separately check OpenAI’s current API documentation for model lifecycle and supported image-generation APIs.
Can ChatGPT Still Generate Images?
Yes. Users can ask ChatGPT directly to create an image and can also upload supported images for editing.
Instead of opening a separate DALL·E GPT, the workflow is now integrated into a normal ChatGPT conversation.
What Is ChatGPT Images?
ChatGPT Images is OpenAI’s current image-generation and editing experience inside ChatGPT. Users can describe a visual, generate it, ask for changes and continue refining the result in the same conversation.
This integrated workflow is useful for blog images, social graphics, illustrations, product concepts, presentation visuals and other creative tasks.
DALL·E GPT vs ChatGPT Images
| Feature | Official DALL·E GPT | ChatGPT Images |
|---|---|---|
| Availability after Aug 30, 2026 | Retired | Available |
| Create images | No longer through official GPT | Yes |
| Edit images | Retired experience | Yes |
| Integrated into normal chat | Separate GPT | Yes |
| Recommended current workflow | No | Yes |
What Happens to Images You Created With DALL·E?
OpenAI advised users to download images they wanted to keep before the official GPT’s retirement. For important professional work, keeping local backups of generated assets is a good practice regardless of platform.
Are Custom GPTs With Image Generation Being Removed?
No. OpenAI specifically says user-created GPTs with image generation enabled are not affected by the retirement of the official DALL·E GPT.
Why Is OpenAI Retiring the DALL·E GPT?
OpenAI’s announcement does not provide a long explanation, but the product direction is clear: image creation is increasingly integrated directly into ChatGPT rather than being a separate GPT experience.
That creates a simpler workflow because users can combine research, writing, planning and visual generation inside one conversation.
What Should Creators and Bloggers Do?
For most creators, the transition is straightforward:
- Use ChatGPT Images for new image generation and editing.
- Keep backups of important generated assets.
- Test older prompt workflows because different image models can interpret prompts differently.
- For commercial work, continue checking usage rights and current platform terms.
What Should Developers Do?
Developers should not assume that a ChatGPT product retirement and API model lifecycle are the same thing. Check OpenAI’s current developer documentation before building or maintaining a production workflow around an older image model.
If an older API model is marked deprecated, plan migration to the supported newer image-generation APIs rather than creating new long-term dependencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DALL·E discontinued in 2026?
The official DALL·E GPT inside ChatGPT was retired on August 30, 2026. ChatGPT image generation itself was not discontinued.
Can ChatGPT still generate images?
Yes. Users can continue creating and editing images through ChatGPT Images.
What replaced the DALL·E GPT?
For normal ChatGPT users, the recommended workflow is ChatGPT Images inside regular conversations.
Will custom GPTs still generate images?
OpenAI says user-created GPTs with image generation enabled are not affected by this retirement.
Is image generation being removed from ChatGPT?
No. The change affects the separate official DALL·E GPT, not ChatGPT’s broader image-generation capability.
Final Verdict
The retirement sounds bigger than it is. DALL·E GPT is retired, but AI image generation in ChatGPT continues.
For most users, the new workflow is simply to ask ChatGPT directly to create or edit an image instead of opening a separate DALL·E GPT.
Source: OpenAI ChatGPT release notes and current image documentation.
