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OpenAI shuts down older realtime and audio models on January 20, 2027

Readers can stay on OpenAI API: they change a setting or plan. Help the ones who would rather leave.

94 days left · January 20, 2027 · Public page

Low switching pressure28/100

An estimate from the deadline, cost, discussion and need to move. It is not a product rating.

What goes into it

Confidence: medium.

deadline8/30
money14/25
attention0/25
audience0/12
force6/8
  • Hard deadline in 94 days.
  • The change is forced: it reaches users even if they wait.

  1. 1 Related discussions

    Only threads tied to this event that talk about leaving, moving or prices. Saved, not live. Check the date and read the thread before replying.

    No live threads yet.

  2. 2 What people ask

    No common questions yet.

  3. 3 Reply templates

    Answer the question first. Link only if it helps. Always keep the disclosure line. Never post the same text twice.

    Helpful first
    Sorry you have to deal with this. You can stay on OpenAI API. Here is what to change before January 20, 2027:

1. Find the old model names. Search for gpt-realtime, gpt-audio, gpt-4o-realtime, gpt-4o-audio and their mini and dated versions. Check config files and connection URLs too.
2. Switch to the named replacement. Realtime goes to gpt-realtime-2.1 or gpt-realtime-2.1-mini. Audio goes to gpt-audio-1.5.
3. Test voice calls before January 20. Check speech quality, delay and cost on the new model.

If they would rather leave, describe a verified way <your product> can help: <your link>
[Disclosure: I build <your product>.]
    Short answer
    You have until January 20, 2027. You can stay on OpenAI API. First: find the old model names. Then switch to the named replacement.
Happy to help if you get stuck.
[Disclosure: I build <your product>.]

  4. 4 Switch-page builder

    Create a draft “Switch from OpenAI API” page. Add your product, review every claim, then copy HTML or Markdown. Your product claims need your own evidence.

    • Add your product name to replace “Your product”.
    Preview

    Switch from OpenAI API to Your product

    OpenAI API: older realtime and audio model families: a change is due by January 20. You can stay on OpenAI API. If you would rather leave, here is how to move to Your product.

    What changes at OpenAI API

    OpenAI removes the gpt-realtime, gpt-audio, gpt-4o-realtime and gpt-4o-audio families on January 20, 2027. Their mini versions go too. Most move to gpt-realtime-2.1 or gpt-audio-1.5.

    • Shutdown date: January 20, 2027 (OpenAI)
    • What shuts down: Whole model families and their snapshots (OpenAI)
    • Replacement: gpt-realtime-2.1 replaces gpt-realtime and gpt-4o-realtime (OpenAI)
    • Replacement: gpt-realtime-2.1-mini replaces gpt-realtime-mini and gpt-4o-mini-realtime (OpenAI)
    • Replacement: gpt-audio-1.5 replaces gpt-audio, gpt-4o-audio, gpt-audio-mini and gpt-4o-mini-audio (OpenAI)
    • Also on this date: gpt-4o-mini-transcribe-2025-03-20 → gpt-4o-mini-transcribe-2025-12-15 (OpenAI)
    • Careful: the transcribe pick is short-lived: gpt-4o-mini-transcribe is on the February 26, 2027 shutdown list (OpenAI)
    • Announced: July 20, 2026 (OpenAI)
    • After shutdown: The model can no longer be accessed (OpenAI)
    • Shutdown dates in the API: GET /v1/models lists each model's shutdown_date (OpenAI)
    • Apps that call these models: Stop working on January 20, 2027 (OpenAI)

    You can stay on OpenAI API if you make the change. This page is for people who would rather leave.

    What Your product gives you

    Write two or three short lines here. Say what Your product does, who it is for, and what it costs. Use only facts you can show.

    How to move from OpenAI API to Your product

    1. Save what you need from OpenAI API. Keep a copy before you cancel anything.
    2. Import into Your product. Say which files you accept and how long an import takes.

    Tell readers the key date: January 20, 2027.

    Questions people ask

    If Your product has a direct answer to one of these, add it here. Keep it short and true.

    How to help new users settle in

    Send one short email. Say what changed, where to find you now, and what they need to do. Put the most important line first.

    If there is a date, send a short reminder a few days before it. Keep a copy of the list you sent it to.

    Sources

  5. 5 Search ideas to validate

    suggested, not measured Phrases people may search when a tool changes like this. We have no search volume data for them.

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